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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 25th, 2017–Jan 28th, 2017
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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

The current weather has us in a bit of a holding pattern, and persistent avalanche problems will be slow to heal. Evaluate the snowpack carefully before committing to any large terrain features.

Weather Forecast

The ridge of High pressure we have been enjoying should persist through the forecast period. Skies will remain mostly clear, ridgetop temperatures will fluctuate daily between -6 and -12. Almost perfect, except the calm winds we have been enjoying will transition to moderate Westerlies Friday into Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm of settling new snow overlies: previous wind affected snow, old storm snow in sheltered areas, and a breakable melt-freeze crust below 1900m on solar aspects (1700m non-solar). Faceted layers in the mid and lower snowpack remain a concern, particularly in shallow areas where facetting is more pronounced and triggering is more likely.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Due to the depth of the weak layers triggering is unlikely, but the consequence would be high. Avoid shallow rocky areas in big open terrain. This problem may also exist Below Treeline in the Front Ranges.
Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Use caution on wide-open slopes - these are the most suspect.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Watch for fresh Wind Slab development as the winds increase in to the weekend.
Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2