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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 20th, 2021–Dec 23rd, 2021
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
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

Though ski quality is currently excellent, avalanche hazard will increase with incoming weather system. Other hazards still include sharks below 1800m.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Clearing. Moderate south west winds. Alpine temps high -10. Freezing levels valley bottom

Wednesday: Cloudy with flurries. Accumulation 10 cm. Strong south west winds. Alpine temps high -5. FL 1500m.

Thursday: Cloudy with flurries. Accumulation 10-20 cm. Strong gusting to extreme west winds. Alpine temps high -7. FL valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm unconsolidated snow is currently faceting with cold temps. This overlies previous widespread windslabs 20-40 cm thick in alpine and treeline. Dec 4 crust, found down 40-80 cm has faceting snow above. A 20-60 cm thick Nov MFcr complex completes the snowpack to ground. HS at TL is 110 - 170. BTL has just reached threshold at Cameron Lake.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed during field day. If you go out into the mountains please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Previously buried windslabs 20-50 cm thick sit under 20 cm unconsolidated snow. Use caution in thick to thin areas. When winds increase be cautious of newly formed surface windslab in lees.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use caution in thin snowpack areas.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

No avalanches observed on this layer this week, however with a large enough trigger this layer could produce results.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Dry

30-20 cm unconsolidated snow is faceting with cold temp. Watch for sluffing in steep terrain.

  • Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2