Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 27th, 2012 4:23PM

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

Parks Canada conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Email

Waterton Lakes.

Winds are increasing with lots of new snow available for wind transport.  The hazard will slowly increase over the next several days.  Stumps and rocks are still lurking near the surface at lower elevations.  Great skiing in sheltered locations!

Summary

Weather Forecast

More seasonal temperatures are forecast for the next several days.  Winds will increase from Moderate to Strong out of the NW at higher elevations.  Snow amounts remain light with a small system forecast for Saturday night and a clearing trend following this.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs and cross loading at tree line and in the alpine is beginning to develop with increasing W winds and lots of recent snow available for wind transport.  In thick snowpack areas there are no other major concerns.  In thin snow pack areas new snow or wind slabs may be hiding a weak facetted base.  Caution should be used in these locations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the past several days however we expect to see some cornice failures and wind triggered avalanches over the next few days as the winds increase.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs forming with increasing NW winds and lots of recent storm snow available for transport.  The hazard will slowly increase over the next several days.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2012 4:00PM

Login
Join