Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Although it is now a few days since the most recent snowfall, new wind slab development remains a possibility with continued strong winds through the weekend.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Evidence of a natural wind slab avalanche cycle has been observed in the Cameron Lake and Cameron Valley area, with avalanches up to size 2.5. Notably, two wind slab avalanches from the south Forum ridge area ran from the ridge to lake elevation and broke the ice on the lake. These avalanches likely happened on Wednesday or Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Around 20 cm of new snow fell on Wednesday. This came in with westerly winds forming new windslabs in the alpine and treeline elevations. The new snow likely remains unconsolidated in sheltered treeline areas. Below treeline, there is a new, thin surface crust up to 1800 m.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.
Weather Summary
Sat
Partly cloudy, ridgetop wind southwest 50 - 60 km/hr. Treeline high of +4°C
Sun
Scattered flurries overnight and early morning, then clearing. Treeline high of 0°C. Ridgetop wind 45 - 55 km/hr from the southwest.
Mon
Partly cloudy, strong southwest winds continuing with 40 - 60 km/hr at ridgetop. Treeline high of 0°C.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
This problem may continue to build with ongoing strong southwest winds through the weekend.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5