Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 20th, 2013 8:01AM

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

jon stuart-smith, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

The few cms of new snow have not overcome the early season conditions. Windslabs and shallow snowpack are the main concerns right now so traveling conservatively is important.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Weather pattern for the next few days will bring a trace of s to areas along the divide but no significant snowfall. Temperatures will be cool, in the minus teens, until things start to warm up on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

5 of very light new snow fell Wednesday to bring Little Prairie to 65cm. Summit Lake = 100 cm total. Instabilities within the 25 to 35 cm of storm slab and at the old snow faceted interface indicate skiers could trigger avalanches in steep unanchored terrain at higher elevation areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

There may be a number of windslabs on North and East slopes that have built during the wind events of the last week.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded featuresBe careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The crusts near the bottom of the snowpack have been weakening, especially on cooler North aspects.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2013 4:00PM