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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2021–Dec 11th, 2021

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

Despite low snowpack, use caution when exposing yourself to overhead hazard. Loose dry avalanches observed impacting ice climbing routes. Still not enough snow to ski below treeline.

Weather Forecast

Thursday: 10-15cm of new snow expected by thursday morning. Cloudy and cool. Alpine temps High -8. Moderate SW winds. FL valley bottom.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. Alpine temps High -10 . Strong SW winds. FL valley bottom.

Saturday: Cloudy with chance of flurries. Alpine temps High - 3. Strong to extreme SW winds. FL valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

5cm of new snow with strong to extreme SW winds adding to windslabs in lees at ALP and TL. Mid and lower snowpack is now consolidated. November melt freeze crusts are 20-30cm above ground. Under 1800m is below threshold. Snowpack at tree line is 70-100cm deep.

Avalanche Summary

Two Na loose dry avalanches observed to size 1.5, out of steep alpine headwall above Wall Lake on monday. Observations in the area are very limited, if you go out into the mountains please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.