Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 3rd, 2014 4:00PM

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

edwin knox, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold and dry for the next few days with no new snow expected. A light northerly flow but mostly light to nil winds. Wednesday and Thursday we may have a few hours of nice sunshine and temperatures moderating later in the forecast period.

Snowpack Summary

15cm of new snow in the past week. Minimal wind effects observed. Cool temperatures have helped strengthen the snowpack.Â Test results below treeline Monday showed sluffing potential in steep open areas. Most deeper snowpack areas bridge theÂ lingering basal weakness.

Avalanche Summary

no new avalanche activity observed

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An increasingly well settled snowpack means triggering an avalanche on a deep persistent layer has become unlikely. However, large and destructive avalanches may be possible with a heavy load in steep, thin start zones.

Conditions are greatly improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2014 4:00PM