Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 8 – 11, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Avoid all avalanche terrain as avalanches can run to valley bottom.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Watch for slab formation with warming temperatures into the weekend. The new snow may also be sitting on old wind slabs

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5
    The weak facet layer in the snowpack could wake-up with the new snow forecasted on Thursday.

Weather Forecast

Winter Storm Warning in effect for Waterton on Thursday. Forecasts models regarding precipitation amounts range from 20cm-50cm. This snow is accompanied with cold temperatures (-15C) and light NE winds. Snow will taper off into Friday, temperatures will warm-up and skies will clear into the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

There is a weak facet layer deep in the snowpack that has been producing large avalanches to the West of Waterton. We are concerned that the new snow on Thursday might cause this weak layer to fail producing large avalanches.

Avalanche Summary

There have been large avalanches to the West of Waterton, in the Lizard Range, in the last week.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered