Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2012 5:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

Tim Haggarty, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Recent storm snow of 40 cm being redistributed by moderate to strong SE winds Wed. Further significant precip. and wind expected Wed through Fri with considerable warming Thursday. These factors are expected increase the hazard: exercise caution.

Summary

Problems

Wind Slabs

With recent wind and snow slabs have begun to develop. This growth will continue with more of the same in the forecast. These slabs are forming above the previous hard slabs and crusts in open areas well into the trees.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

40 cm of recent snow since Sunday. Expect this to develop into a soft slab as loading continues, especially with warming expected Thursday. The previous warm and windy weather has created firm crusts and hard windslabs that will act as a bed surface.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Isolated pockets of Surface Hoar found in protected areas. With the recent rapid loading and expected warming, the potential for this to produce serious avalanches lingers. Consider the potential for this layer to be triggered by smaller events.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 17th, 2012 5:00PM