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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2022–Dec 18th, 2022

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Cold temps are on the way for the second half of the weekend. Be prepared with extra layers and think about ending your day a little early.

Widespread surface hoar was observed by field teams in the Cameron Lake area on Tuesday. The unusual lack of wind may preserve this layer as new snow falls.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Small dry loose avalanches were observed in steep treeline terrain on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

10cm storm snow with light winds has buried a new surface hoar layer. This overlies a series of old windslabs and a developing midpack in the alpine and at treeline.

Below treeline storm snow and thin old windslab overlies facets and up to two early season crusts.

Weather Summary

Friday

Clear skies no precip expected. Alpine temps around -10 with light winds.

Saturday

Light snow today up to 10cm forecast. Overcast skies and alpine temps of -12, dropping in the afternoon to a low of -26. Winds will be light.

Sunday

Cold temps expected today with a high of -26 and light flurries. Winds will be light today.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.