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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2012–Dec 13th, 2012

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

There is good skiing above 1900m in sheltered locations!  Below 1900m travel off of the summer trails is still difficult due to shallow snowpack depths.

Weather Forecast

A continued Westerly flow will persist over the next few days with only light amounts of snow forecast and seasonal temperatures.  Light to Moderate SW to W winds will be present in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

5cm snow overnight sits on wind slabs formed from strong NW winds Sunday.  Below this a well settled snowpack with no significant shears was found today near Summit Lake.  Snowpack depth at 2000m averages 150cm but there is significant variability in depth due to previously wind transported snow. Snowpack depth tapers off significantly below 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today.   There is certainly potential for skier triggered wind slab avalanches at treeline and in the alpine.  Watch for steep wind loaded terrain or thin areas which may be weaker than the surrounding snowpack.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.