Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2012 5:27PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

tim haggarty, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

There is skiing ABOVE 1900m! However below 1900m there is not enough snow to travel off summer trails. Watch for early season hazards: stumps and rocks that may be just hidden near the surface. Ice climbs are slowly reforming.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cooling trend will continue with light precip Fri and Sat. Sun will be coolest and driest. Winds are expected to remain in the moderate range out of the W and SW.

Snowpack Summary

Little to no snow below 1500m. At 1800m there is approx 80 cm with several buried crusts. This does not allow easy travel off of summer trails. At 2000m there is over 150 cm with crusts found only at the bottom of the snowpack. There is a high degree of variability in snowpack depth due to recent strong W and SW winds.

Avalanche Summary

A few avalanches have been seen out of extreme terrain on the lee sides of exposed ridges. These events may have been triggered by sloughing off of steep terrain or by cornice failures. Although the sizes of these events have been small they have traveled a long way in confined terrain: gullies and couloirs.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent storms have left a lot of snow available for transport. Watch for slabs in loaded areas especially gullies and ridge lines. Cornices are also growing with these conditions and should be considered as possible triggers.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Be aware of a potential weak interface found at the base of the snowpack above 1900m in as this early Nov crust breaks down.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2012 4:00PM