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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2024–Feb 29th, 2024

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

15-30 cm of new snow with strong SW winds have added new load on the persistent weak layer. Expect a natural cycle on the Feb 3rd crust/facet combo. Make conservative terrain choices until the avalanche cycle has run its course and the snow has settled.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche observations have been limited due to poor visibility in the Park, but a few large avalanches in surrounding areas have been observed failing on a persistent weak layer.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm in the past 24 hrs has been redistributed into fresh windslabs on lee aspects. This sits on older windslab 20-40 thick or a sun crust on steep solar aspects at all elevations. The Feb 3rd crust is down 40-70cm and has a thin layer of weak facets above it. The lower snowpack is a well-settled crust/facet complex to the ground. Average snowpack depths are between 100 - 175 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Cloudy, light snow up to 5cm. Light to strong SW winds with an alpine high of -18°C

Wed

Cloudy, light snow with minimal accumulation. Strong to extreme SW winds with an alpine high of -7°C

Thurs

Cloudy, with 5 - 10 cm of snow possible. Moderate to strong SW winds with an alpine high of -6°C

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.