Rapid change to the snowpack means rapid change to the avalanche hazard. Minimize your overhead hazard to steep slopes this week.
Weather Forecast
The temperature is forecasted to plummet Tuesday afternoon into the -15C to -20C range until Friday. With the drop in temperatures we are also expecting 20cm of new snow on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Winds will shift to the NE and become light during the snowfall before swinging back West and increasing to a normal blustery Waterton on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
Temperatures have been above freezing in the townsite for the last four days. This has made the snowpack moist. With dropping temperatures forecasted the surface of the snow will become a crust. This could provide a good sliding surface for the forecasted new snow. Rapid change to the snowpack typically increases avalanche hazard.
Avalanche Summary
There have been small loose wet avalanches from steep slopes with a smooth bed surface due to the above freezing temperatures. We can expect to see an increase in avalanche activity with the forecasted snow on Tuesday and through the week.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.