Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.

Lucas Gurba,

Waterton Lakes.

Akamina Parkway CLOSED (Watch 511)

Warm temps and precip have created touchy avalanche conditions. Give the snowpack some time to adjust before traveling in steep terrain.

Consider overhead as many paths are running naturally to valley bottom.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Continued precip and warm temps. 10cm of alpine snow with rain below 1800m

Wed: Cloudy with precip ending in the evening. Alpine temps around zero. Moderate SW winds. Freezing levels 1800m.

Thurs: Cloudy, flurries, light SW winds and alpine temps -3. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Friday: Partially cloudy with alpine high -5. Winds mod SW.

Snowpack Summary

Over 60cm of storm snow in the alpine since Sunday with mod SW winds forming storm slabs up to 100cm. Rain soaked snow to at least 1800m. This overlies old windslab 10-30 cm deep. Feb 15 crust is 1 cm thick and exists to tree line all aspects and higher on solar aspects. Well settled midpack. Facets above Dec 4 crust, buried 150-200 cm.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural cycle today with storm slab, wet slab and wet loose avalanches to size 3. Numerous avalanches reaching valley bottom. Thanks for the great observations on the Mountain Information Network, we love seeing your adventures.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

Up to 60cm of new snow since sunday in the alpine forming slabs up to 100cm deep.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Rain soaked snow overlies Feb crust up to 1800m on all aspects. Avoid areas of steep isothermal snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2022 4:00PM