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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2020–Dec 20th, 2020

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

Storm slabs will become very reactive on Sunday as new snow is accompanied by a rapid rise in temperature. Strong SW winds will continue throughout forecast period making wind slab equally concerning as an avalanche problem. Watch for heavy loading.

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly Cloudy with Isolated flurries & trace precipitation. Strong SW wind with extreme gusts. Freezing level valley bottom.

Saturday: Flurries. 5-10cm of snow. Moderate SW winds increasing to extreme in the afternoon. Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday: 20cm snow at Cameron Lake with 10-15cm of wet snow in townsite. Freezing level 1800m.

Snowpack Summary

At Cameron lake: 10-20cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong SW wind. This has created new wind slabs which sit over a melt freeze crust. Expect the upper snowpack to become very reactive as new snow arrives on Sunday with rising temperatures. The mid snowpack is well consolidated with a ice crust forming the base of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches observed.

Treeline snow depth in the Cameron lake area just over 1m with amounts tapering quickly at lower elevations and in other areas of the park.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

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.