Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 5 – 8, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wind slabs remain the primary hazard in our snowpack.  If snowfall amounts are more than forecast the hazard will increase.  Good skiing was found today on sheltered N and E aspects near Cameron Lake.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs will continue to form with light snow fall and moderate to strong West winds over the next few days.  Probe for these with your poles and dig down to check the bond with previous surfaces before committing to steep terrain.

Weather Forecast

Continued Moderate to Strong NW to W winds over the next few days with light snow accumulations.  Freezing levels are forecast to rise to 1400m during the day but drop back down for night. 

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong west winds creating soft and hard slabs in open areas.  These wind slabs appear to be bonding well to the previous surfaces.  Sun crust on South aspects.  In shallow snowpack areas the hard slabs over the basal facets are still a concern in steep and/or confined terrain.  No other significant shears found in the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed in the last few days.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered