Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 27 – 31, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The early season conditions still present a considerable risk, be careful of rocks and stumps that are lurking under the snow surface. The danger could increase with new snow on Friday night, especially if we receive more than the 5 cm forecast.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Recent strong SW winds have built windslabs at ridgelines and gully features. Warm temperatures have likely helped strengthen these slabs but triggering is still a possibility.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Weak snow associated with crusts formed in Mid and early November can be found down about 70cm. This seems to be less significant on Southerly aspects. Triggering planar slopes from thin areas remains a possibility to consider.

Weather Forecast

A cold front forecast to pass over the area in Friday night will drop temperatures and bring some precipitation. Ahead of the front there could be some rain but as the temperatures drop there could be up to 10 cm of new snow. . Winds should die down and switch to the northeast with the passing of the front.

Snowpack Summary

Extreme SW winds over the last 24 hrs and warm temps have created hard slabs with the remainder of the snow from earlier this week. Gullies and wind loaded features have a series of windslabs with all wind exposed slopes scoured. The Faceted Crystals associated with the Nov Crusts are buried 50 to 70 cm, a weak layer that remains of interest.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Regions covered