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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 6th, 2021–Jan 9th, 2021

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

The hazard is low but pockets of wind slab lurk in lee and cross loaded features. Pay attention near ridge top and give cornices a wide birth.

Weather Forecast

Thursday-  Cloudy with sunny periods. Light variable wind. Freezing level 1600m.

Friday- Mainly Cloudy. Light SW wind. Freezing level 1400m

Saturday- Mainly cloudy. Moderate SW wind with freezing level dropping to valley bottom

Snowpack Summary

Upper elevations are heavily scoured but pockets of wind slab are building in lee and cross loaded terrain with significant cornice growth noted throughout the park. The Dec 9th crust was not reactive during last weeks natural avalanche cycle but large triggers may awaken this weakness. Areas east of the divide hold a thin & faceted snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A size two cornice failure occurred off Mt. Rowe on the Akamina Parkway. Date uncertain.

Confidence

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.