Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 24 – 27, 2014Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warmer temperatures and solar radiation will increase the avalanche danger for the weekend. Variability in snowpack depth and the potential for triggering a large avalanche on the deep persistent layers mean routes should be chosen conservatively.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The snow from Wednesday is starting to build new windslabs. These will be touchy for the next few days until the begin to settle. Previous windslabs are also a concern underneath this new snow. These could be triggered from the many thin areas.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3
    Temperature inversion with warmer air at ridgetop and strong solar radiation will weaken snow in steep rocky areas. A falling cornice could create the large load needed to trigger a deep persistent slab so be conscious of what is overhead.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3
    Be conservative with your terrain selection and assess steep or unsupported planar slopes carefully. The new snow may be hiding shallow areas where triggering may be more likely and with the variability in snowpack there are many thin areas.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate with mainly clear skies and dry conditions until Sun. An inversion is forecast for Fri and Sat which could bump temperatures above freezing in the alpine. Winds in the valley bottom could be strong but are forecast to be mainly light W/NW at ridgetop. Sun will be cooler and with a few flurries.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of snow arrived Wed with no wind . Under this is sun crusts on SE-SW slopes, wind effected surfaces in any open area, or faceted snow or surface hoar on sheltered areas. 30 to 40 cm above the ground weak, facetted snow remains a concern on steep or unsupported planar slopes and in the thin areas found with this highly variable snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

There has been very little avalanche activity observed in the Park in the last week. Although avalanche activity may decline in this stable period, remember that this problem will be with us for some time to come

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Regions covered