Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2015–Dec 31st, 2015

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

With the longterm forecast calling for a tenacious ridge of high pressure to keep things cool and dry into the new year, it would be wise to get out and take advantage of the great start we've been having to the season.

Weather Forecast

Flurries will tapper off through Tuesday morning as a ridge of high pressure embeds itself over our area, total expected snow accumulations are 5-7cm.Â This ridge is forecast to persist through Thursday, giving seasonably cool temperatures (day time highs of up to -5 and overnight lows as low as -19) with light to moderate winds from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

Light snow is currently burying windslabs formed by this weekend's Mod-Strong SW winds. Below, old layers of settling storm and wind slab are interspersed with two thin layers of facets and possibly surface hoar which continue to slowly stabilize. This overlies the Dec 9th crust (down 50-90cm), still a concern as a developing weak interface.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural size 1-2 slab avalanches were observed yesterday, likely triggered by loading and slab development from the weekends wind event.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recently formed windslabs are now being buried by light snowfall

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

Small sluffs may trigger previous windslabs

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1

Persistent Slabs

A large natural slab avalanche was observed last wednesday, this may have released at a buried crust from early December. For now, it is unclear if this will remain an isolated event, or if this layer is becoming more sensitive to loads.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 3