Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 8 – 11, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Variable winds and new snow will form slabs on all aspects. If venturing into avalanche terrain, carefully assess the bond of the new snow to the underlying crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    In Sheltered areas, loose snow avalanches will have the potential to run far and fast on the crust in steep terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Incoming wind and snow will form slabs at all elevations and aspects. Below 2000m, these will sit on a thick crust which could serve as an excellent bed surface and increase reactivity. Take the time to evaluate the bond of new snow to this layer.

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Periods of snow Friday night into saturday with accumulations of 15-25cm. Alpine high -5. Strong west winds overnight switching northeast in the morning.

Sunday: Sunny periods and isolated flurries. Moderate northwest wind, alpine high -9 with a weak inversion.

Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and continued inversion.

Snowpack Summary

Strong west winds have redistributed 5cm of recent snow, and scoured most areas below 2000m down to a thick melt freeze crust. The alpine is highly wind affected, with many windward areas completely stripped of snow and lee areas containing hard wind slabs. The midpack is well settled, though weaker basal facets can be found in thin areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered