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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 20th, 2020–Feb 23rd, 2020

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

The SW winds have returned spreading the windslab problem throughout Waterton Park. Enjoy the excellent travel conditions while avoiding heavily wind loaded pockets.

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mostly Sunny. Freezing level at valley bottom. SW wind 60km/h gusting to 90.

Saturday: Mostly Sunny. Freezing level 1500m. Strong SW wind with extreme gusts.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Freezing level at valley bottom. Strong SW wind with extreme gusts.

Snowpack Summary

A sun crust is developing on solar aspects. In lee areas, multiple layers of windslab sit over the Feb 1st melt freeze crust which exists up to approx 2100m. Reactivity of this windslab is extremely variable. Expect windslabs to become more sensitive as temperature rises. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets can be found in thin areas.

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 natural windslab avalanche occurred on a E aspect at cameron lake between Monday afternoon and Thursday AM.

Continued cornice growth in the alpine.

Confidence

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.