Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 28 – 31, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wind slabs may develop Wednesday through Thursday with the 15-20 cm of new snow that is forecast. This could push the avalanche danger higher.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3
    Be conservative with your terrain selection and assess steep or unsupported planer slopes carefully where the snowpack may be thin. In these areas it may be possible to trigger the weak faceted area created early in the winter.

Weather Forecast

Dry and sunny on Tuesday with temperatures remaining below freezing for mid elevation. Westerly winds Tuesday night will create thin slabs on north and east lee terrain. Snow and light winds are forecast Wednesday through Thursday. Some reports say we may get 15-20cm.

Snowpack Summary

Cooler temperatures the past few nights have helped to strengthen the snowpack. Test results on Monday on NW and SE aspects did not show any significant concerns. Shallow snowpack areas still will have weak basal facet issues. The 6 - 10 cm of new snow that fell on Sunday morning helped to freshen up the previously wind or sun affected surfaces.

Avalanche Summary

The  6-10 cm of new snow from Sunday morning has resulted in minor sluffing from steep terrain on all aspects.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered