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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 2nd, 2020–Mar 5th, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

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.

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

Avalanche 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: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2