Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 9th, 2013–Mar 12th, 2013
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Waterton Lakes.

Spring conditions today with good skiing on N aspects! Caution for loose wet slides on solar aspects and increased cornice failures with daytime warming!  Hazard will increase with warming temperatures and decrease as things cool off.

Weather Forecast

A sunny day is forecast for Sunday with thin cloud later in the day, moderate W winds, mild temperatures and freezing levels up to 1800m. For Monday and Tuesday things are uncertain.  If the system stays on track we may see up to 25mm of precipitation, but if it gets pushed S things will be cloudy, fairly dry, moderate W winds and mild temperatures

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar forming overnight.  Moist snow on all solar aspects with freezing levels up to 1900m. Light wind transport at ridge crests in the alpine.  The recent storm snow appears to be bonding well to the March 3 rain crust and other surfaces.  This March 3 crust is present up to 2000m and is buried 10 to 45cm depending on aspect and elevation.

Avalanche Summary

A size 3 natural cornice triggered avalanche occurred near Wall Lake in the last 24hrs out of steep rocky North facing terrain and stepped down to some deeper layers in the snowpack.  Today numerous loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects up to size 2 were observed at all elevations. 

Confidence

Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Expect loose wet avalanches to occur with daytime heating.  Caution on or below any steep solar aspects as temperatures warm up during the day. 
Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

With the recent snow, increasing winds and mild temperatures cornice failures are a greater concern right now.  Avoid exposure to cornice threatened slopes especially with warm daytime temperatures.
Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

With increasing W winds over the next few days we can expect more wind slabs near ridge crests and in open areas above tree line. Use caution when entering wind affected areas and evaluate the snowpack carefully before committing to steep terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2