Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Lynnea Baker,

Waterton Lakes.

Akamina Parkway projected to open friday morning following snow removal.

Spring...??? Below treeline skiing will be challenging on refrozen surfaces.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with isolated flurries and an alpine high of -4. Moderate winds from the SW, FL 1400m. A strong inversion is forecast above 2400m

Saturday: Cloudy with isolated flurries 4cm, alpine high -5. Winds moderate SW, FL valley bottom.

Sunday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, alpine high -9. Winds moderate SW, FL valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Moist snow to 2000m beginning to refreeze in N aspects. Isothermal snow to ground in thin areas. Above 2000m hard windslabs up to 150cm deep overlie a well settled midpack. Facets above Dec 4 crust down 150-200 cm. A 20-60 cm thick Nov crust complex completes the snowpack to ground.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche cycle with several avalanches size 1-3 yesterday. One size 4 avalanche on Mt Bertha that buried the hiking trail in 10m of debris ocured on sunday Jan 09. Suspect this large result initiated on Dec 4 crust. Thanks to everyone posting on the Mountain Information Network, keep up the great work, we really do read them.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Warm temps have likely caused windslabs to settle, however use caution in shallow alpine features.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

One significant size 4 event on this layer on sunday the 9th of Jan. No obs on this layer since then.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2.5 - 4

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2022 4:00PM