Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

adam greenberg, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=A very short lived spring seems to be rapidly transitioning to summer, with little time for the snowpack to adjust. This is a good time to avoid all avalanche terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Get your hawaiian shirt out and lather on that sunscreen! Expect light winds and increasing temperatures through the forecast period with no overnight freeze. Alpine Highs will be in the 8 degree range, while in town it will reach 17! The clear skies and strong March sun will work to further increase the temperatures on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack consists of recent wind slabs over facetted wind affected surfaces on shaded slopes, and moist snow on solar aspects. The lower snowpack remains weak and facetted, and as the warm temperatures continue there is a possibility this layer could produce large avalanches

Avalanche Summary

A number of Size 2 loose avalanches were observed on Mt. Bertha and along the Akamina Parkway over the weekend. They entrained a substantial part of the facetted snowpack in some areas, making them larger than one might expect. In the Castle Mountain region, there were reports of Size 3 avalanches in the past week on layers deep in the snowpack.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose avalanches are either running on hard bed surfaces, or entraining the faceted lower snowpack and running larger than normal.

If triggered loose wet sloughs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs formed on Thursday may still be reactive on shaded aspects at higher elevations.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

There remains a concern for deep weak layers in thin snowpack areas. Rapidly warming temperatures and solar radiation have the potential to wake them up.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2019 4:00PM