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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2023–Mar 3rd, 2023

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Windslabs have developed in lee features after this week's extreme wind. Snowfall amounts are uncertain for Thursday night's incoming precip, if snow exceeds 20cm the hazard will increase.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1-2 natural windslab avalanches were observed in treeline lees over the last four days.

Snowpack Summary

Extreme winds have stripped most alpine features and redistributed snow deep into lees. Firm windslabs are most prevalent at treeline. The January melt freeze crust is now buried 50-100cm. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar. Below treeline, the Jan Crust overlies facets and depth hoar to ground.

Weather Summary

Wed

Cloudy with up to 10cm of snow throughout the day. Light west winds and an alpine high of -10.

Thur

A break in the clouds, with West winds picking up to strong as the day progresses. Alpine high of -12.

Fri

Cloudy with the potential for up to 10cm of snow. Strong winds from the west continue, with temperatures staying in the -12 to -15 range.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.

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.