Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 17 – 20, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Great skiing persists, particularly around treeline. Get out there and enjoy it! But watch for fresh storm slab development as soon as the winds pick up. JH

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1
    Watch for sloughs running fast and far where previous crusts are near the surface.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2
    Previous storm slabs have not been reactive for several days.Watch for fresh storm slab development when the wind increases.

Weather Forecast

Several well organized low pressure systems making landfall on the central coast over the next few days will mostly be held off from influencing our area by a high pressure center over norther BC/Alberta.  Thankfully, on Friday a front will make it through, and we can expect to see snowfall in the amount of 10-15 cm by Saturday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow overnight burying previously visible storm slabs formed by SW-NW winds. 3 buried crusts exist; two from early December are widespread below tree-line, and one from mid November which exists at all elevations and has a highly variable depth as it was scoured clean in exposed areas prior to the heavy rain/snow event on Dec. 8th.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered