Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 24th, 2017 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada Ruari Macfarlane, Parks Canada

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Waterton Lakes.

Areas of most concern (obvious lee slopes) should be easy to identify on Saturday by anyone with Avalanche Skills Training. On Sunday, however, new snowfall will cover the Wind Slabs, making slope assessment tricky.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Saturday: Westerly winds, Strong in the Alpine.  Increasing cloud. Sunday: Light upslope winds accompany 5-15cm of new snowfall trickling in from Saturday night through Monday. Monday: Light snowfall may taper off.  Light winds.Treeline temperatures between -10 and -15 throughout.  Forecasts disagree as to intensity of Saturdays' wind/Sundays snow.

Snowpack Summary

25cm of low-density surface snow lies evenly over all aspects and elevations. This recent snow lies on a Melt-freeze Crust Below Treeline, and on old Wind Slabs on North/East aspects in the Alpine. Winds on Saturday may move large quantities of snow from West facing slopes to North and East aspect lee slopes, building new Wind Slabs quickly.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small Loose Dry avalanches were observed from steep terrain on Friday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Winds on Saturday will build Wind Slabs lee to Westerly winds. How quickly, and to what extent, is a question of how strong & long the wind blows. There is plenty of snow available for transport - avalanches may be Large.
Snowfall on Sunday will hide windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
Low density surface snow produced numerous Loose dry avalanches on Thursday. New, cold snow falling with light winds on Sunday/Monday are likely to produce further natural Loose Dry avalanche activity. Watch for this anywhere the snow feels light.
Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2017 4:00PM

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