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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2023–Apr 13th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Freezing levels have remained high for the past 48 hrs, travel on skis is currently very difficult with unsupportive wet snow. Wet loose avalanches may still be reactive Tuesday morning before the temperature drops over the day and decreases the hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed on Monday from steep terrain and on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

10 mm of rain at all elevations on Monday resulting in moist snow. The January melt freeze crust is buried 60-100cm. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar. Below treeline now moist to ground.

Weather Summary

Tuesday

Up to 10 mm precip, initially falling as rain, snow possible later in the day. Alpine high of 2°C, moderate to strong SW winds.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with some flurries, alpine high of -3°C. Moderate SW winds.

Thursday

Light snow, up to 10 cm possible. Light winds, alpine high of -2°C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.