Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2016 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

A weak interface of surface hoar, facets and suncrust formed during the early January drought is likely to become increasingly reactive as new snow adds to the load that it is currently carrying.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A weak warm front making its way inland will bring cloudy skies and warming temperatures through Wednesday. This warm front will be met by an arctic front sliding down from the north on Wednesday evening/Thursday morning, uncertainty surrounds the intensity and timing of the resulting snowfall, amounts may vary from 10-20cm.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate-Strong SW winds scouring areas of previous melt-freeze crust, and redistributing up to 7cm of recent new snow into thin windslabs. These are covering surface hoar, up to 6mm in size, in locations sheltered from NW winds and old surface facets. The middle and lower snowpack are well settled and currently giving no notable shears.

Avalanche Summary

There has been no recent avalanche activity observed or reported.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Be careful with wind loaded pockets.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 15th, 2016 4:00PM