Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Incoming snow is unlikely to bond well to previous surfaces, watch for fast running sluffs if forecast snowfall accumulations materialize.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A weak arctic front will push the upper ridge currently over our area to the south on Thursday, bringing colder temps and flurries to our area through Friday. Snowfall accumulations are expected to be less than 5 cm, temperatures will fluctuate between highs of -10 and lows of -20 degrees C, and winds will remain light from the SW swinging to NE.

Snowpack Summary

Traces of new snow have covered previous surfaces; a thin weak suncrust on solar aspects, old unreactive windslab in exposed areas, surface hoar up to 5mm in size in sheltered locations and surfaces facets in shaded areas below treeline. A surface hoar layer down 40-60cm in some treeline & alpine locations continues to gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

There has been no recent avalanche activity observed or reported. Isolated small natural avalanches were observed as a result of last weekends wind event.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A buried layer of Surface Hoar will be difficult to trigger, but has potential to propagate widely.

Ride slopes one at a time and spot your partners from safe locations.Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Extra caution is advised if forecast snowfall amounts are exceeded.

Use caution above ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Jan 9th, 2016 4:00PM