Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
An intense upslope storm is arriving on Friday elevating the hazard rapidly for the weekend. This will be a good time to avoid avalanche terrain.
Weather Forecast
An intense upslope storm is arriving on Friday bringing heavy snowfall, plummeting temperatures and strong NE winds through to Sunday night. Precipitation amounts are uncertain but accumulation will be highest on eastern slopes. Expect 30-60cm over the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20cm of new snow from convective flurries yesterday overlies wind affected surfaces including windslab and crusts from the extreme wind event earlier in the week. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets still lurk in thin areas.
Cornices are large and looming.
Avalanche Summary
Multiple size 1- 1.5 dry loose avalanches observed in steep alpine lee slopes on Thursday.
Surrounding areas have reported Natural and explosive triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2 in alpine features on Wednesday.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Lots of snow, lots of wind, a widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new wind.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
Where there is no slab, expect sluffing in steep terrain.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain..
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5