Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
15-20 cm of new snow fell at Cameron Lake over the weekend, with a little more forecast this week. Be careful of sluffing in steep terrain, loose avalanches may run fast on the smooth crust underneath.
Enjoy the light winds while they last!
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural dry and wet loose avalanches to size 2 were observed this week. A few natural slab avalanches to size 2.
Snowpack Summary
20 cm of new snow with a thin surface crust on solar aspects. Below the new snow a thick melt freeze crust exists at all aspects and elevations. Below this, the snowpack is moist to ground at treeline and below, now slowly refreezing. The Dec 23rd and basal crusts are currently less of a concern due to the effect of significant warming last week and anticipated refreeze. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Thurs
Cloudy with scattered flurries. Winds light to moderate from the west. Alpine high of -5 degrees.
Fri
Up to 10 cm of new snow overnight, clearing through the day. Light NW winds, alpine high of -8 degrees.
Sat
Mix of sun and cloud with light NW winds. Alpine high of -10 degrees.
For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
May see increased reactivity of this problem with solar input Friday and Saturday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Variable winds may have built wind slabs on all aspects at ridgetops in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2