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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2023–Feb 3rd, 2023

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, human triggered possible.

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Continued wind and a bit of new snow on Saturday/ Sunday will keep windslabs a concern. Good riding can be found in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A field team in the Cameron Lake area on Feb. 2nd observed several recent size 1 loose dry and wind slab avalanches on their drive in on the Akamina Parkway. These were generally at treeline on easterly apects. They also observed a size 1.5-2 on the CV-10 path above the Cameron Lake road which occurred during their trip on Feb. 2nd. This could have been triggered by a cornice failure, solar warming or windloading.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme southwest winds have redistributed last weeks storm snow (20cm near the Divide and 40-50cm in the Eastern park) into wind slabs at treeline and above. Below treeline the snow is generally not wind affected. This new snow overlies old wind slabs or the mid-January crust that exists to 2400m. The mid-pack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar, especially in thin areas.

Weather Summary

A strong SW flow over the next few days means continued extreme alpine winds. Freezing levels will rise to ~ 13-1500m daily.

Friday: Alpine winds ~ 110 km/h from the SW. Clear skies with light precip starting in the afternoon.

Saturday: Alpine winds decreasing to ~ 70 km/h from the W. Light snow with 5- 10 cm possible.

Sunday: Alpine winds decreasing to ~ 50 km/h from the W. Light snow up to 5 cm.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected 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.