Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Cloudy, PM flurries. Ridge wind strong SW. Alpine temps, Low 1, High 3. Freezing level 2500m.Friday: Cloudy, snow/rain starts mid-day (10-20cm). Ridge wind mod-strong SW. Alpine temps, Low -3, High 1. Freezing level 2300m.Saturday: Cloudy, PM flurries. Ridge wind mod-light SW. Alpine temps, Low -8, High -1. Freezing level 2100m.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong SW winds are building isolated pockets of wind slab. Incoming snow Friday will not likely bond well to previous crusty surfaces, as the snow transitions to rain expect the upper snowpack to lose cohesion quickly. The midpack is well settled and strong. Basal facets persist in some areas, but have been unreactive since mid-March.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural loose wet avalanches were observed on solar aspects Tuesday. Ski cutting on Tuesday also produced loose dry avalanches on North aspects at Treeline.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Loose Wet
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1