Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
New snow should bring good skiing, but remember to take a healthy step back in your terrain choices and assess how well the new snow has bonded to underlying surfaces.
Weather Forecast
A clearing trend is expected through the week with blue skies on Monday. Ridgetop winds will be in the moderate range (perfect for snow transport and windslab formation) over then next few days gusting strong on Sunday. Temperatures will remain cool with alpine highs around -10.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of low density new snow has fallen in the park as of Saturday evening. This sits on previous windslabs above multiple sun & temperature crusts present in the upper snowpack. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets still lurk in thin areas.
Cornices are especially large in the Cameron lake Area.
Avalanche Summary
Surrounding areas have reported small loose dry and storm slab (especially in the alpine) avalanches in the new snow failing naturally in steep areas and with skier traffic on Saturday.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
20cm of new snow will form slabs in the alpine and treeline with moderate W winds. Dial back your terrain choices while the new snow settles out, and pay particular attention to sun exposed slopes above you - the March sun is packing a punch!
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Loose dry avalanches will be prevalent out of steep rocky terrain, especially on solar aspects when the sun comes out. Ice climbers should pay particular attention to the consequence of a small avalanche coming from above.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5