Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry and Loose Wet.

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Good skiing will reward those who get out early Saturday before it warms up. JH

Summary

Weather Forecast

The high pressure system over our area will persist until late Sunday. This will mean mostly clear skies, light winds and warming temperatures through the weekend. By Monday, clouds will increase and we may see some light precipitation as a low pressure system makes landfall on the south Coast.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm of low density new snow overlies: a supportive crust down 10cm below treeline, thick cohesive old storm slabs at treeline and in the alpine, and bare ground many areas in the east. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well consolidated, the mid pack is a series of strong crusts into the alpine on solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small loose snow avalanches occurred during Thursday's snowfall, and as a result of Friday's rapidly warming temperatures.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

The potential to trigger fast moving sluffs will persist on shaded aspects for a day or two.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Expect the new snow to become less stable on solar aspects with daytime heating.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2016 4:00PM