Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Though we have gained more confidence in the snowpack in many areas, the potential remains for triggering a persistent slab avalanche in northerly alpine terrain, where the new crust is not capping over this weak layer.
With the high winds this weekend, the best skiing will likely be in sheltered areas at treeline and below.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed.
Snowpack Summary
New wind slabs up to 30 cm deep are forming in the alpine and at treeline, new snow remains unconsolidated in sheltered areas. This sits on a supportive melt freeze crust, which exists everywhere except for north facing alpine terrain. The January drought layer is down 40 - 100 cm. Depth of snow at treeline averages 130- 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Mild temperatures continue with increasing winds through the weekend. See table below.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs will likely form Friday afternoon and Saturday as the winds increase and redistribute the recent storm snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
This problem remains a concern on high northerly aspects where the surface crust is thin or non-existent.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3