Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 7th, 2016 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Watch for early season hazards just below the snow surface, with ongoing cold temperatures even a minor injury could result in serious consequences.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The arctic ridge persists through Thursday, giving clear skies, calm winds and cold temps (Lows of -30, Highs of -25). On Friday a low pressure system moving inland from the coast will give flurries and snow showers through Saturday (total accumulations of 5-10 cm). Temperatures remain cold with overnight lows of -24 and daytime highs of -20.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of low density snow is covering a well settled early season snowpack (watch for buried windslabs near ridges). The snowpack above 2000m is over 100cm deep near in the divide, but much shallower at lower elevations and in Eastern areas. A mid November crust down 40-90cm was well bonded in areas observed to date but warrants evaluation.

Avalanche Summary

No recent activity observed.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Buried windslabs may still be triggerable. Expect fresh windslab development as winds increase Friday into Saturday.

Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2016 4:00PM