Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 27th, 2014 4:00PM

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

edwin knox, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Wind slabs may develop Wednesday through Thursday with the 15-20 cm of new snow that is forecast. This could push the avalanche danger higher.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Dry and sunny on Tuesday with temperatures remaining below freezing for mid elevation. Westerly winds Tuesday night will create thin slabs on north and east lee terrain. Snow and light winds are forecast Wednesday through Thursday. Some reports say we may get 15-20cm.

Snowpack Summary

Cooler temperatures the past few nights have helped to strengthen the snowpack. Test results on Monday on NW and SE aspects did not show any significant concerns. Shallow snowpack areas still will have weak basal facet issues. The 6 - 10 cm of new snow that fell on Sunday morning helped to freshen up the previously wind or sun affected surfaces.

Avalanche Summary

TheÂ 6-10 cm of new snow from Sunday morning has resulted in minor sluffing from steep terrain on all aspects.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Be conservative with your terrain selection and assess steep or unsupported planer slopes carefully where the snowpack may be thin. In these areas it may be possible to trigger the weak faceted area created early in the winter.

Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 30th, 2014 4:00PM