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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 6th, 2022–Jan 9th, 2022
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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.

The storms coming!!! 25 cm of new snow, extreme winds and rising temps will combine with 20 cm snow from previous cycle to create reactive storm slabs on friday. Investigate storm slabs thoroughly before committing.

Weather Forecast

Friday: Overcast and snowing, 25 cm accumulation. Strong to extreme from SW. Alpine high -5. Freezing level 1200 m.

Saturday: Overcast with flurries, 5-10 cm. Moderate to strong W winds. Alpine high -12. Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Possible flurries. Strong W winds. Alpine high -6. Freezing level 1200m.

Snowpack Summary

20 cm unconsolidated snow is being redistributed by extreme westerly winds. Below this is a 10 - 30 cm hard wind slab. Mid pack is well settled. Facets are found above Dec 4 crust down 80-120 cm. A 20-60 cm thick Nov crust complex completes the snowpack to ground. No results have been seen on the Dec 4 layer in our pits this week.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observed on field day today. Thanks to everyone posting on the Mountain Information Network, keep up the great work, we really do read them.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

20 cm of unconsolidated snow from previous storm cycle will combine with up to 25 cm new snow, extreme westerly winds and warm temps to create surface slabs.

  • Breakable crust makes for tough ski conditions.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

No avalanches observed on this layer in our tenure however neighboring tenures are still seeing activity. With a large enough trigger or rising freezing levels this layer could produce results.

  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5