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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 13th, 2012–Dec 16th, 2012

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

Good skiing to be had up high but it is still pretty rough at lower elevations with a lot of early season hazards to watch for. Use summer trails for fast and safe access. Look  for sheltered areas to avoid windslabs and find  the best skiing.

Weather Forecast

Light West winds and light snow incoming Friday. Saturday should see very light precip with Winds increasing to strong. Continued cool temperatures throughout.

Snowpack Summary

Thin and spotty surface slabs forming with moderate SW winds now cover the widespread slabs developed with the strong west winds over the last week. Four crusts are found in the shallow snowpack below 1900m (1m-)  however above this, the snowpack seems quite uniform and depth increases quickly (150cm+) with only a moist basal melt freeze layer.

Avalanche Summary

Very little natural activity to speak of although there are some ripe looking start zones waiting for a trigger. Cornices also are continuing to grow and many look fragile. 

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.