Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Winter is still here!
The best skiing this week has been found on low angle slopes where snow has not been affected by the sun.
Hazard will increase with solar input during clear periods.
Have a great holiday weekend!
Weather Forecast
Fri: Scattered flurries clearing in the afternoon. ALP high -8. Moderate winds switching from E to W midday. Freezing levels valley bottom.
Sat: Clear with scattered flurries, accumulating to 5 cm. ALP high -6. E Winds increasing throughout the day to strong. FL VB.
Sun: Cloudy with scattered flurries. ALP high of -4. Moderate W winds. FL 1500m.
Snowpack Summary
25 cm of four finger snow overlies refrozen surfaces on all aspects well into ALP. A near surface breakable crust exists on steep solar aspects. A series of crusts and windslab make up the midpack. Lower snowpack is well settled P - K. HS 250-300 cm near the continental divide.
Avalanche Summary
Few loose dry avalanches to size 1 with solar input. Please report any observations to the Mountain Information Network we really appreciate the information as neighboring operations are shutting down for the season.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
25 cm of snow has been redistributed by variable winds in the alpine. Beware of lingering pockets of wind slab around ridgeline lees. When winds switch to SW on Saturday watch for windslabs on all aspects.
- Be careful with reverse loaded pockets of wind slab at ridgeline.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
When the sun peaks out watch steep unsupported and rocky terrain for dry loose avalanches.
- Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5