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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 20th, 2017–Dec 23rd, 2017

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

Winter has returned to Waterton! New snow has increased the avalanche danger. Please see the up-to-date list of open and closed areas.

Weather Forecast

Colder temperatures will continue throughout the week with overnight lows below -10 C in the Waterton Townsite .  West winds will increase to strong gusting extreme (60 km/h+) Wednesday evening but will diminish Thursday afternoon bringing more snow flurries into Friday morning.

Snowpack Summary

A storm has brought colder temperatures and 60cm of snow to the Waterton Townsite with very little wind.  Shrubs and twigs are still poking out of the the snow below tree-line. Above 1600m, at tree-line and alpine, the new snow has fallen on a variety of surfaces including a crust, wind-scoured surfaces and possibly surface hoar in shelter areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.