Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 2nd, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Marcus Waring,
Parks Canada
A rapid drop in temperature has settled the upper snowpack but pockets of reactive windslab still exist in alpine start zones. Hazard will be higher than forecast if snowfall amounts are more than 15cm on Wednesday.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. 5 mm precipitation. West wind 50km/h gusting 80. Freezing level 1500m.
Wednesday: Flurries. 5-10cm snow. Strong West wind with extreme gusts. Freezing level valley bottom.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. Strong SW wind. Freezing level valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Waterton received 15cm of snow Sunday with strong-extreme SW wind. This has added to a surface windslab which sits over a variety of surfaces including suncrust, old windslab & the Feb.1 melt freeze crust. Recent rapid cooling has settled the upper snowpack significantly. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets still lurk in thin areas.
Avalanche Summary
No new observations.
Significant cornice growth at Cameron Lake.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch out for heavily loaded pockets near ridgetops or in cross loaded features.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 5th, 2020 4:00PM
