Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 8 – 11, 2022
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Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Changing winds over the last few days have distributed snow in irregular areas.

Use careful assessment when choosing your line.

Overhead features above ice climbs are loaded and may produce natural avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    SW winds on Monday have formed windslabs in lees. These slabs are being buried by new storm snow.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Steep sheltered areas will have up to 60cm of unconsolidated snow. Be cautious of your sluff and aware of overhead.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Up to 30cm of snow is forecasted into Tuesday. This coupled with NE winds will form storm slabs in reverse lee features.

Weather Forecast

Tonight: A snowfall warning is in effect for SW Alberta. 20-30cm are forecast by tomorrow for Waterton Park.

Tues: Light snow all day with winds tapering to light NE. Alpine temps -14.

Wed: Snow tapering off by mid day then clearing. Ridge top winds moderate NE. Alpine temps -15.

Thur: Partially cloudy, winds switching to M-NW. Temps rising to -8.

Snowpack Summary

30 cm of storm snow has been redistributed into windslab by mod-strong SW winds. This overlies March 3 rain crust. An additional 50 cm of settling snow over the Feb 15 crust that exists up to 2000m. Lower snowpack is well settled 1F to P. HS 250-300 cm near the continental divide.

At the time of writing it is snowing heavily with 20-30cm forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Natural dry loose avalanches and ski cuts up to size 1.5 on Sunday's field trip. Check out the Forum Ridge Avalanche to see impressive size 3 that occurred during last weeks rain event. Keep those Mountain Information Network observations coming, and include the MIN in your pre-trip conditions research.

Confidence

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

Regions covered