Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2015–Jan 2nd, 2016

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

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

With warm and stable weather in the forecast the Alpine playground is likely to be pretty inviting over the next few days. Watch for increased avalanche activity/instability on solar aspects as the forecast strong temperature inversion kicks in.

Weather Forecast

A strong upper ridge aloft is creating a pattern of stable weather which is forecast to persist in to next week at least.Â A warm pacific airmass slowly nudging it's way North East will ride up over the present cold air, creating a strong temperature inversion with highs approaching 0 degrees in the Alpine by Thursday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm of light new snow has buried windslabs formed by the weekend's Mod-Strong SW winds. Below, old layers of settling storm and wind slab are interspersed with two thin layers of facets and possibly surface hoar which continue to slowly stabilize. This overlies the Dec 9th crust (down 50-90cm), still a concern as a developing weak interface.

Avalanche Summary

A few naturally triggered loose snow avalanches up to size 1.0 have been observed in the past couple of days.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

Small sluffs may trigger previous windslabs.

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1

Wind Slabs

Previously formed windslabs are now difficult to detect as they were buried by the recent new snow.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 3