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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 23rd, 2015–Mar 26th, 2015
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
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

Cooler temperatures will allow for up to 20cm of snow this week but watch for warming on Thursday to bring an increase in the avalanche hazard.

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels should remain below 1900m with snow and then light snow to bring up to 20 cm by late Wednesday while west winds continue with moderate and even strong gusts . Thursday will bring a significant change with freezing levels rising to over 2500m as part of a  warming trend that looks like it will continue into Friday

Snowpack Summary

Rain and solar heating created surface crusts below 2200m and to ridge top on solar slopes. 5 to 10 cm of new snow Saturday, as well as extensive amounts of snow available from last week, has been redistributed by strong Westerly winds to create extensive wind effect and slabs TL and ALP. The snowpack BTL is dwindling: not much remains below 1800m.

Avalanche Summary

It has been a fairly active week with high freezing levels driving a prolonged cycle. Storm and winds slabs that developed from last week's storms failed TL and above to size 2.5 mainly as a result continued wind loading. Extensive loose moist activity to sz 2 associated with rain or solar heating has affected many slopes mainly TL and below.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Although thin in many areas, there are some significant slabs that have grown along the ridge crests. While warm temps limited growth at TL, be prepared for larger slabs above. New snow and continued west winds will continue to build these slabs.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed touchy slabs.The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Wet

Heating on Thursday will likely provide quite a jolt to accumulating new now. Expect moist activity in the surface snow.
Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

These layers from early season are still a concern on N aspects in the alpine, especially in shallow snowpack areas.
Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3