Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2017 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

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.

Summary

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

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

Valid until: Jan 28th, 2017 4:00PM