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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 31st, 2013–Jan 3rd, 2014

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

Thin coverage in many areas over rocks and stumps remains a significant hazard. Good snow can be found in more sheltered areas near treeline.

Weather Forecast

Continuing dry until late Thursday. Exciting to see as much as 20cm forecast for Friday as the cold arctic air mass meets with the westerly flow. Winds are expected to shift from west to north which will see reverse loading and a potential for increased avalanche hazard.

Snowpack Summary

A layer of faceted, weak crystals is found in most locations at about 30 to 40cm off the ground. Human triggering of this deeper instability may be possible in shallower snowpack  areas. Wind slabs are a concern in open areas at tree line and above.

Avalanche Summary

Very little recent activity.

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.