Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Seek out very sheltered areas if you are looking to find soft skiing. The wind has been hard at work in Waterton and windslabs will exist in many places.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural wind slab avalanches observed in steep cross loaded features to size 2. These avalanches were observed on Tuesday's field day however likely occurred on the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme SW winds have formed stiff windslabs at all elevations. These slabs may have built on a layer of surface hoar that was observed in many locations, uncertain if it was destroyed by wind before the new slabs formed. Windward areas are stripped to old surfaces. The lower snowpack is well settled with no significant weak layers.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.
Weather Summary
Thurs
A mix of sun and cloud, wind NW, 20-40 km/hr. Treeline high of -5°C, and low of -9°C.
Fri
Mix of sun and cloud, light snow 2-5cm in the evening. Wind west 60-90 km/hr. High of -4°C at treeline.
Sat
Partially cloudy. Wind easing to 20-30 km/hr from the north. Treeline high of -5°C.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New windslabs may be building on a layer of surface hoar that was observed in many places on the surface of the snowpack on Tuesday, prior to the wind. Uncertain if this layer was destroyed by the wind before the slabs built.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2