Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 25th, 2021–Jan 28th, 2021

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

The hazard is low but avalanches are not impossible. Practice good group management and continue to approach cornices, steep lee features, and thick to thin areas with skepticism.

Ski quality remains marginal.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Sun and cloud, light SW wind. Alpine high -11

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and flurries, SW wind 25 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. High -7.

Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods and flurries, SW wind 30-45 km/h. Alpine high of -5.

Snowpack Summary

Upper elevations are heavily wind affected, and generally quite hard. Reactive windslabs may be found in isolated lee areas. Below 1900m a crust exists that varies from bulletproof to breakable dependent on aspect and elevation. Areas east of the divide hold a thinner and more faceted snowpack, with more potential for surprises in alpine areas.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches observed, post a MIN if you see anything!

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

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.