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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 13th, 2023–Feb 14th, 2023

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Hazard bumping up for Tuesday due to 20cm with Mod-Str NE winds forecasted. Wind slabs may exist on open slopes at all elevations and aspects. Exercise caution when transitioning to these wind effected slopes. Good skiing exists in sheltered and treed slopes BTL.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

2 Sz 2.5 avalanches Natural and with explosives have been observed in the Castle Mt Resort area in the past week on facets over the mid-Jan Crust. Several size 1.5 wind-slabs were observed Thursday on loaded North through East aspects in the alpine. Observations over the weekend were limited.

Please share your observations and photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of fresh snow with MOD W-NE winds Monday day/night sits on top of older wind slabs at treeline and above or on steeper exposed slopes below treeline. Extreme W winds last week may have scoured windward slopes down to the Jan crust. These slopes may now have fresh wind slabs from reverse loading of recent snow and NE winds. The total snow depth above the crust at treeline is approx. 50-70 cm. The crust is widespread and exists up to 2400 m. We are starting to see weak crystals develop above the crust and have observed avalanches Sz 1-2.5 on this layer of concern in the surrounding area.

Weather Summary

Expecting 10-20cm over Mon night/Tues morning with Mod-Str N-NE winds as the storm passes in the A.M. Expect skies to clear and winds to ease through Tuesday.

Alpine temperature: High -11 °C

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

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.