Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 22 – 25, 2019Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Windslabs remain the main concern, and will continue to build through the weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs will continue to develop with moderate to strong westerly winds on Friday, and moderate Easterly winds on Sunday

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    A layer of weak depth hoar and facets is lurking at the bottom of the snowpack. Recent snow may have been enough to overload this layer in thin snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

A field trip to Cameron Lake on Thursday found evidence of recent small wind slab and loose dry avalanches in steep rocky terrain at all elevations. An anomalous size 2 slab was also observed below treeline in a steep and shallow snowpack feature that appeared to have failed on a deep weak layer.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Weather Forecast

Friday: The big news is increasing winds from the West with up to 30cm of snow available for transport. Cool temperatures and flurries through Saturday.Saturday: Winds dying down and switching to Light from the Northeast. Cloudy with flurries, and temperatures dropping throughout the day.Sunday: Cold temps with an inversion, moderate East wind.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of new snow has buried previous windslabs on all aspects. The midpack remains strong in deep snowpack areas, but may act as a slab above deep weak layers in shallower areas.

Regions covered