Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 8th, 2016 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

The new snow is unlikely to bond well to previous surfaces, watch for touchy windslab development as the winds increase into the weekend.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure building over our area will give mainly stable conditions through the weekend. Traces of new snow are forecast for Saturday night. Temperatures are remaining seasonably cool (as low as -18 overnight and daytime highs around -5). Winds are forecast to be moderate to strong from the West on both Saturday and Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5cm of new snow is not likely to bond well to previous surfaces; a thin weak suncrust on solar aspects, old unreactive windslab in exposed areas, surface hoar up to 5mm in size in sheltered locations and surfaces facets in shaded areas below treeline. A surface hoar layer down 40-60cm is most prevalent at treeline and continues to strengthen.

Avalanche Summary

There has been no recent avalanche activity observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This layer has become difficult to trigger but has the potential to propagate widely.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 11th, 2016 4:00PM