Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 11 – 15, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

A widespread avalanche cycle is occurring. New slabs are very easy to trigger. There remains some potential for deep layers to be triggered that would result in large avalanches. With more snow forecast travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Soft slabs are forming rapidly with the new snow over a very weak and widespread layer. These slabs can be triggered from a distance on steep slopes and require very conservative terrain selection and route finding.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    With widespread avalanches occurring the potential for the weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack to be triggered as a large avalanche is elevated. Give big terrain a wide berth until things have a chance to settle.

Weather Forecast

A series of three systems is expected over the next three or four days with additional snowfall amounts of 15cm forecast with each. The associated Moderate to Strong West winds and mild temperatures will contribute to rapid slab formation.

Snowpack Summary

15cm of new snow arriving with moderate West winds and warm temperatures has quickly formed slabs over 20 to 30 cm of weak, faceted snow which is bonding poorly to a firm layer beneath. With this change, the Basal Facets remain a concern in shallow areas where the overlying slab of hard snow providing all of the strength to our snow pack is thin

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural cycle is now occurring with soft slabs to size 2 in the Alpine and on open slopes at Treeline. Skier triggering of slabs is likely right now at all elevations with remote triggering encountered on steep slopes below treeline. With the additional snow and wind in the forecast the size of these events is likely to increase.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered