Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 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 and Wind Slabs.

tim haggarty, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

This prolonged period of stable weather has allowed the snowpack to settle and adjust. Although minimal avalanche activity can be expected, continued caution with the basal facets is certainly warranted as there are many thin areas to be found.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with some flurries Friday, otherwise broken skies with light winds until Monday. A system is approaching Monday: expect warming and increased winds through Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

About 20 cm of cold faceted snow is bonding poorly to a variety of surfaces: suncrust (S, SE) and previous wind effect open areas. Faceting also continues in the bottom 40 cm of the snowpack where depth hoar has now replaced old crusts. The slab of pencil snow above this provides all of the strength to our snow pack but this is extremely variable.

Avalanche Summary

Very little activity has been observed in the last 5 days with the exception of minor wind generate surface sluffing in very steep terrain.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The 40 cm of snow sitting on the ground continues to loose strength. The mid-pack that is holding everything together varies greatly in depth. Use your probe to verify that you are traveling in fat areas and use extra caution if you are not.

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

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Variable wind directions over the last few days have created thin and soft slabs in a wide range of open areas. Surface snow is faceted which is discouraging slab formation. These slabs sit on weak snow over firms surfaces: keep them in mind.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2014 4:00PM