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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 22nd, 2024–Jan 25th, 2024

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Small new windslabs may form with strong SW winds throughout the forecast period. Triggering a persistent slab may be possible in isolated areas and may be more reactive if moisture penetrates down to this layer from rain or temps above zero.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Small wind slabs forming in the Alpine with Strong SW winds. Below 2000m there is moist surface snow which will refreeze with cooling temps. The Dec 23 Melt Freeze Crust and Facets are down 40-100 cm. An early season basal crust complex exists most places in the alpine and at treeline. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 170 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Partly cloudy with scattered flurries. Minimal snow accumulation. Wind SW 40-60. Freezing Level 1800 m. Alpine High 0°C

Wed

Partly cloudy with scattered flurries. Minimal snow accumulation. Wind SW 40-60. FL 1700 m, Alpine High of -2°C

Thurs

Partly cloudy with scattered flurries. Minimal snow accumulation. Wind SW 40-60. FL 1800 m, Alpine High of -2°C

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Problems

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.