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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2020–Mar 7th, 2020

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

Hazard will increase dramatically on Friday and Saturday as Waterton receives a heavy snow load on the weekend.

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Mostly sunny. SW wind 30km/h gusting up to 90km/h. Freezing level 1700m

Friday: Mainly cloudy with scattered, wet flurries. SW wind 20km/h gusting 80. Freezing level 1500m

Saturday: Snow. 20- 40 cm is expected in the townsite. Moderate NE winds. Freezing level valley bottom. Potential upslope conditions.

Snowpack Summary

The weekend will have a widespread & reactive storm slab. As of Wednesday, strong-extreme SW winds with intermittent snowfall has aided windslab development. These fresh windslabs are well bonded to the multiple sun & temperature crusts present in the upper snowpack. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets still lurk in thin areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations.

Significant cornice growth noted throughout Waterton Park.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.