Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2015 4:42PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Great skiing will be the reward for the hard work that trail breaking has become. Eat lots of Christmas cookies before you head out.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A quasi stationary arctic front slowly making it's way down from the North East over the next couple of days will bring continued light flurries accompanied by light and variable winds and cooling temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of low density snow has fallen since Dec 20th with LNE wind. This has buried several layers of wind slabs formed by previous strong SW winds. Below this is the Dec 9th crust (now down 40-70cm), which has not been reactive, but has future potential. The mid/lower snowpack is strong & consolidated. Travel below 1800m is steadily improving.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1 loose snow avalanches, both natural and human triggered, have been observed and reported in the past couple of days.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

These are now hidden under the low density new snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2015 4:00PM