Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2013 8:54PM

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

jon stuart-smith, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Strong winds are building new windslab from Feb 9s 20cm. Although the natural avalanche activity has declined, it could still be possible to trigger windslabs in the lee of ridgecrests. Suncrest on S aspects but great skiing in sheltered areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Only light precip over higher elevations forecast for the next couple of days. Winds will continue to be strong although the northwesterly flow aloft means that ridgecrests in the Cameron lake area may be somewhat sheltered. Continued solar radiation will mean sun effect on south aspects.

Snowpack Summary

The 10-20cm of snow we received on Feb 9 is sitting on surface hoar, suncrust and old windslabs. Solar radiation resulted in moist snow on direct S asp today. Strong NW winds are building windslabs on E asp in the immediate lee of ridgecrests. Surface hoar was found on all aspects today which will be something to look out for down the road.

Avalanche Summary

The avalanche activity has subsided from the loose snow avalanches we observed in the last 48 hours. A couple of size 1 loose snow avalanches that occurred in the last 24 hours were observed in the Cameron lake area today on a north aspect at treeline.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

New wind slabs have formed in the last 48hrs. They were touchy yesterday with a couple of avalanches triggered by skiers immediately below the ridgecrests on N and E asp. Be cautious of lee slopes in steep terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

South facing slopes are starting to heat up with daytime warming. We may start to see more cornice failures which could trigger recent or buried wind slabs. Avoid traveling in terrain exposed to cornice failures.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2013 4:00PM