Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 11th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

adam greenberg, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Incoming precipitation will increase the hazard where it falls as rain down low, and where it will form new windslabs up high.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated showers/flurries with a 1900m freezing level and light winds.Saturday: Showers with flurries up high, up to 10cm of new snow above treeline. Freezing level 1800m with SW winds gusting to 85km/hSunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and light gusting strong SW winds. Freezing level 1600m.

Snowpack Summary

In most areas we are seeing a typical spring snowpack with crusts breaking down in the heat of the day. If you can get above snowline, expect to see 5cm of new, wet snow on Friday and 10cm on Saturday falling as rain at lower elevations. The midpack is generally moist and well settled.

Avalanche Summary

No new recent avalanches observed.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Rain on Saturday may trigger loose avalanches below treeline where snow remains.

Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Strong winds and snowfall above treeline on Friday and Saturday will form new windslabs. These will become more reactive if the sun comes out.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2019 4:00PM