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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 12th, 2024–Feb 15th, 2024

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Windslabs will get buried by new snow in the next couple days, use caution in exposed areas. Thin conditions still exist near valley bottom watch for stumps and rocks.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new naturals observed however, a size 3 windslab result was reported with explosives from a nearby ski hill.

Snowpack Summary

30 cm of unconsolidated snow has been redistributed into windslabs in exposed areas. A recently buried thin crust exists on solar aspects. This overlies a thick melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations. Below this, the snowpack is moist to ground at treeline and below, now slowly refreezing. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Overnight - snow heavy at times between 10-15 cm

Continued flurries up to 5 cm are possible under overcast skies. Alpine high of -10°C with light NE wind.

Wed

Partially cloudy with no significant precip. Alpine high -15°C with light NE winds

Thurs

Light flurries up to 5 cm possible with overcast skies. Alpine high of -20°C with moderate east winds.

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.