Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2018 8:11AM

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

timothy johnson, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

It feels like spring in the valley bottoms but it is still winter up high and avalanche hazard still exists.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Warm temperatures and no overnight freeze forecast for this weekend with daytime highs of 10C in the townsite. This will be accompanied with strong to extreme WSW winds and freezing levels to 2000m. More precipitation looks like its on its way Sunday night into early next week.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and sunny skies will be triggering wet avalanches in the new snow at all elevations. The snowpack at higher elevation, including cornices, are still large and demand respect. Watch out for new windslabs.

Avalanche Summary

Wet avalanches have been observed in Waterton running up to 250m from steep aspects from the alpine on all aspects. Cornices have also be failing in the areas around Waterton running far.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Wet

Expect loose wet avalanches to start running from steep slopes when temps warm up. Watch out for terrain traps where these small avalanches could have severe consequences.

Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Warm temps and strong winds are rapidly building windslabs from new snow in NE features.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Treat cornices with extreme caution. They are growing with the new snow and winds and becoming fragile with the warming temperatures.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2018 4:00PM