Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
The presence of breakable windslabs makes ski quality variable. Look for sheltered terrain to preserve your knees.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light SW winds gusting to moderate. Alpine high -10.
Monday: Periods of snow, 15 cm accumulation. Light SW winds gusting to strong. Alpine high -8 Low -13.
Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. 4 cm accumulation. Light W ridge winds gusting to strong. Alpine High -12 Low -14.
Snowpack Summary
Extreme W winds are redistributing any remaining sheltered snow at all elevations. Strong SW winds formed 10-40 cm firm wind slab on top of 50-60 cm of christmas storm snow. Beneath this lies a series of right side up wind slabs. Facets are found above Dec 4 crust down 80-120 cm. A 20-60 cm thick Nov crust complex completes the snowpack to ground.
Avalanche Summary
Few slab avalanches up to size 2 observed on N and E aspects on Jan 1, triggered by extreme westerly winds. Several loose dry sluffs out of steep terrain up to sz 1 have been observed around the park. Thanks to everyone posting on the Mountain Information Network, keep up the great work.
Confidence
Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Extreme W winds have formed windslabs in lees at all elevations.
- Breakable crust makes for tough ski conditions.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
No avalanches observed on this layer this week, however with a large enough trigger this layer could produce results.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5