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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 18th, 2017–Jan 21st, 2017
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

While deep persistent layers may be stubborn to initiate, the consequences of finding the sweet spot would be substantial. It might not yet be time to ski big open terrain.

Weather Forecast

The ongoing effects of a strong south west flow will continue to give strong SW winds, scattered precipitation and warm temps through Thursday.  On Friday the flow begins to shift to more of a weak Westerly, giving clearing skies, tapering winds and cooling temps in to the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temps have moistened the upper snowpack below treeline. Strong to Extreme SW winds have created hard Wind Slabs and/or sastrugi in all open areas. Faceted layers in the mid and lower snowpack remain a concern, particularly in shallow snowpack areas where facetting is more pronounced and triggering is more likely.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been observed. A Large (Size 3) Deep Persistent slab avalanche was observed in Alpine terrain last Friday, at 2250m on a North aspect. Triggered by a small Wind Slab hitting a shallow spot, this propagated across the slope into the adjacent deeper snowpack and was up to 2m thick in places.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Wet

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1