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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 30th, 2020–Feb 2nd, 2020

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

15-30 mm of precipitation is expected with freezing levels rising to 2000m Friday-Saturday. Avoid avalanche terrain on Saturday and be mindful of your overhead hazard.

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with rain & snow. Freezing level 2000m. Strong SW wind with gusts of 100km/h. 5-10mm of precipitation with periods of freezing rain.

Saturday: Cloudy with rain & snow. Freezing level 1800m. Strong-extreme SW winds with gusts of 120 km/h. 10-15mm of precipitation.

Sunday: Mostly Cloudy, isolated flurries. Freezing level valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Melt freeze crust up to 2000m. This surface crust will increase reactivity of storm snow arriving Fri/Sat. The upper snowpack consist of a 20-70cm windslab sitting over a well settled midpack. Strength of the snowpack will decrease with rising temps & new snow. Upper snowpack avalanches have potential to entrain wet loose snow below freezing level.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.