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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2014–Dec 21st, 2014

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

The West Winds have returned creating minor  windslabs above treeline. Conditions below treeline remain poor due to thin coverage and  even traveling on established trails is hard on skis. Little change is expected with the incoming weather.

Weather Forecast

A series of low pressure systems are approaching however models suggest they will be mostly played out by the time they get here. This should bring a few temperature variations however it looks like temperatures will remain below freezing at Little Prairie for the period. Precip amounts will be minimal with mainly cloudy skies and west winds.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar formed in open areas on the 10 to 20 cm of snow that fell Dec 13 on a solid rain crust. SW winds began redistributing this on Tuesday likely forming wind slabs treeline and above. Beneath the crust the snowpack is now beginning to refreeze giving it considerable strength treeline and below however basal facets may exist above 2300m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been seen or reported

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

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.