Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 14th, 2023–Feb 17th, 2023

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.

A buried wind slab exists overtop of the January crust. No new natural activity has been seen on this layer however the possibility for a step-down avalanche exists. Choose terrain carefully while the snowpack continues to adjust to the new load.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1-2 natural avalanches were observed Tuesday from the road. Most of these avalanches appear to be point releases and are running as dry loose, however, 1 size 1 slab avalanche was observed in a treeline feature.

Please share your observations and photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of fresh snow with light winds Monday day/night sits on top of older wind slabs at treeline and above or on steeper exposed slopes below treeline. Extreme W winds last week may have scoured windward slopes down to the Jan crust. These slopes may now have fresh wind slabs from reverse loading of recent snow and NE winds. The total snow depth above the crust at treeline is approx. 50-70 cm. The crust is widespread and exists up to 2400 m. We are starting to see weak crystals develop above the crust and have observed avalanches Sz 1-2.5 on this layer of concern in the surrounding area.

Weather Summary

Wed

Mostly clear skies with no precip. Temps will hover around -7 in the alpine. Winds M-SW

Thurs

Temps rise to -5 in the alpine under mostly clear skies. Winds increase through the day, S-X from the SW.

Fri

Temps are steady at -5 in the alpine. Overcast with light flurries during the day. Winds decrease slightly to strong from the SW

Terrain and Travel Advice

Recent new snow may be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Burried wind slabs from last week's storm and Extreme W winds may linger and may still be reactive to human triggering. We saw sudden collapse results on the crust interface last week and natural and explosive avalanche reports on this layer from Castle Ski Patrol.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

In isolated areas this problem may present as soft storm slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2