Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 11th, 2014 4:44PM

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

tim haggarty, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Warm temperatures have melted a considerable amount of snow and toppled our ice climbs. Poor travel conditions below treeline make traveling on the trails the only safe option. The best skiing right now is on someone else's skis.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Gradual cooling begins Friday with freezing levels dropping to 1800m. Hazard will drop as slopes begin to refreeze. A small amount of snow may arrive Saturday with modest winds .Cooling continues Sunday with freezing levels reaching 1300m.

Snowpack Summary

A thin rain crust up to 2300m and an isothermal snowpack to about 1900m. Little Prairie plot: 20cm rain affected base with 20cm of moist snow above. At 2200m 25cm of early Nov crusts at base, 5cm of mid Nov facets under a 5-10cm crust formed by rain that began Nov 26. Above this sits a well settled slab up to 130cm deep in loaded areas.

Avalanche Summary

Loose moist activity has been occurring over the last three days. Most of these events have been out of very steep and rocky terrain. This activity has been a result of the extreme heating and rain that has also created a zero degree snowpack to the ground to an elevation of about 1900m and toppled most of the frozen waterfalls.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Above 2000m the crust above the weak November Facets is variable. Triggering may remain a possibility for some time. Use caution Treeline and above especially in thin areas.

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Cooling temperatures should bring an end to this problem by Saturday but treat the snow with care if things remain moist.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 14th, 2014 4:00PM