Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2013 4:00PM

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

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Waterton Lakes.

Recent winds, warm temperatures and sun have created a variety of snow surfaces.  Some powder turns can still be found in sheltered areas in the trees.  Travel conditions are good.  Wind slabs remain the main avalanche concern.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Continued mild temperatures and a dry NW flow for Tuesday.  Wednesday brings the possibility of a few cm of new snow with winds out of the SW, before a clearing trend on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Extensive wind effect and wind slabs at tree line and above.  Sun crust on steep solar aspects.  Temperature crust below 1400m.  Below this is a well settled snow pack with no significant shears.  Average snow pack depth at tree line is 220cm.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity in the last several days.  Wind slabs in steep terrain are the main concern.  Caution in thin snowpack areas for weak facet layers at the bottom of the snowpack.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are present in many areas at tree line and above. In most places these have bonded well to the underlying snow. Watch out for places where the wind slabs are sitting on a weak layer of soft snow by probing frequently with your poles.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2013 4:00PM

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