Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 2 – 5, 2016Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

An above-freezing air layer currently in the alpine spreads to all elevations by Saturday, before a welcome cooling trend kicks in Saturday night. Enjoy the sunshine, and consider leaving your bigger objectives for Sunday once the snowpack cools off.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Small surface wind slabs are still visible in isolated locations, while older large wind slabs are buried under a skiff of recent snow.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–3
    A buried surface hoar layer has produced sudden results in snowpack tests at treeline. This layer is now a concern due to rapid warming of the snowpack and strong solar radiation.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Watch for warm temperatures and clear skies on Saturday to destabilize the surface snow on sunny slopes.

Weather Forecast

A strong ridge is anchored over interior BC.  A layer of unseasonably warm air covers the Rockies, with temperatures around or even above 0 expected at all elevations on Saturday, which is also forecast to be clear and calm. Sunday-Monday promise a mix of sun and cloud, andcooler temperatures. Moderate SW winds develop on Sunday night.

Snowpack Summary

Surfaces are sun affected on steep solar slopes. 10cm of recent snow has formed small stubborn wind slabs in isolated lees, and buried larger old windslabs. A layer of surface hoar down 40-60cm exists in some Treeline & Alpine locations, and a weakening crust is down 80-100cm. These have produced Moderate - Hard, Sudden results in snowpack tests.

Avalanche Summary

One small loose wet avalanche observed this afternoon from solar aspect Alpine terrain. Also, a few small wind slabs occurred yesterday in Alpine terrain. These were on North facing slopes loaded by downslope winds / light spindrift from steeper terrain above.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Regions covered