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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 30th, 2020–Feb 2nd, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

15-30 mm of precipitation is expected with freezing levels rising to 2000m Friday-Saturday. Avoid avalanche terrain on Saturday and be mindful of your overhead hazard.

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with rain & snow. Freezing level 2000m. Strong SW wind with gusts of 100km/h. 5-10mm of precipitation with periods of freezing rain.

Saturday: Cloudy with rain & snow. Freezing level 1800m. Strong-extreme SW winds with gusts of 120 km/h. 10-15mm of precipitation.

Sunday: Mostly Cloudy, isolated flurries. Freezing level valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Melt freeze crust up to 2000m. This surface crust will increase reactivity of storm snow arriving Fri/Sat. The upper snowpack consist of a 20-70cm windslab sitting over a well settled midpack. Strength of the snowpack will decrease with rising temps & new snow. Upper snowpack avalanches have potential to entrain wet loose snow below freezing level.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The snowpack is extremely variable in depth and strength. Rapid loading in expected to cause a widespread natural avalanche cycle late Friday into Saturday.

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Strong southwest winds have created stiff wind slabs in lee features. New snow will make buried windslab difficult to spot.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

High freezing levels and a total of 10-30mm of precipitation may cause storm slabs to entrain wet loose avalanches at lower elevations.

  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3