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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 24th, 2017–Feb 27th, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

Areas of most concern (obvious lee slopes) should be easy to identify on Saturday by anyone with Avalanche Skills Training. On Sunday, however, new snowfall will cover the Wind Slabs, making slope assessment tricky.

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Westerly winds, Strong in the Alpine.  Increasing cloud. Sunday: Light upslope winds accompany 5-15cm of new snowfall trickling in from Saturday night through Monday. Monday: Light snowfall may taper off.  Light winds.Treeline temperatures between -10 and -15 throughout.  Forecasts disagree as to intensity of Saturdays' wind/Sundays snow.

Snowpack Summary

25cm of low-density surface snow lies evenly over all aspects and elevations. This recent snow lies on a Melt-freeze Crust Below Treeline, and on old Wind Slabs on North/East aspects in the Alpine. Winds on Saturday may move large quantities of snow from West facing slopes to North and East aspect lee slopes, building new Wind Slabs quickly.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small Loose Dry avalanches were observed from steep terrain on Friday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds on Saturday will build Wind Slabs lee to Westerly winds. How quickly, and to what extent, is a question of how strong & long the wind blows. There is plenty of snow available for transport - avalanches may be Large.
Snowfall on Sunday will hide windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Dry

Low density surface snow produced numerous Loose dry avalanches on Thursday. New, cold snow falling with light winds on Sunday/Monday are likely to produce further natural Loose Dry avalanche activity. Watch for this anywhere the snow feels light.
Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2