Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2018 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Cornices, Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

Timothy Johnson, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Avoid overhead hazard and choose conservative terrain

Summary

Weather Forecast

10cm of snow is forecasted for Friday with temperature around 0C and extreme west winds. Up to 30cm of snow is forecasted for Saturday with NE light winds and cold temperatures into the -20C range. Temperatures rise through Sunday back to the -5C daytime high range with a mix of sun and cloud.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are growing and touchy with the current warm weather. Windslabs are building on lee aspects and will be buried by new snow. Loose dry avalanches on steep terrain can be expected with the new snow on Saturday.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches observed

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Cornices

Cornices will remain touchy until temperature stabilize on Sunday.

Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.Stay well back from cornices.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Windslabs expected to build with forecasted winds.

Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1

Valid until: Feb 5th, 2018 4:00PM