Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Rapid loading will dramatically increase the hazard in the next 24h. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended Tuesday. Carefully evaluate how storm snow is bonding to previous surfaces before stepping out into bigger terrain later in the week.
Weather Forecast
Monday night: 12cm of snow at Cameron lake with rain in the townsite. Freezing level 1600m. SW wind 30km/h gusting 80km
Tuesday:12cm of snow at Cameron Lake with wet snow & rain in the townsite. Freezing level 1500m. SW wind 30km/h gusting 80km
Wed/Thurs: Cloudy with sunny periods & isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Freezing level valley bottom
Snowpack Summary
10-25 cm of snow is expected at higher elevations tuesday. Rapid loading during tuesdays storm will form storm slabs over top of old wind slab. Previous wind slab sits on a firm crust below 1900m. We have not found the buried surface hoar that has been causing instability in neighboring regions but this problem may still exist in isolated pockets.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches observed but we expect a natural cycle to occur tuesday/ wednesday. Please post a MIN if you see anything!
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow will need time to settle. Bonding of new snow will be variable with fluctuating freezing levels.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Tuesdays storm is forecasted to arrive with high freezing levels. Rain at lower elevations will saturate snowpack making wet loose avalanches a concern especially in gully features where terrain traps may increase consequence.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5