Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Avalanche activity is likely for the next 48 hours through the storm, be alert for wind affected terrain where slabs are forming on a recently buried weak layer.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed but visibility has been limited during the storm.
Snowpack Summary
5 - 10 cm of new snow since Friday, with up to another 20 cm expected by Monday. New snow and wind has formed windslabs in alpine and treeline lees. This overlies the January drought layer which includes facetted snow on northerly aspects or a melt freeze crust below treeline and on steep solar slopes into the alpine. Generally, the snowpack has become weak and facetted.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 50 - 120 cm.
Weather Summary
Sun
5 - 10 cm of new snow, ridgetop winds 40 km/hr, easing to 25, from the southwest. Treeline high of -13°C, low of -22°C.
Mon
5 - 10 cm new snow overnight, scattered flurries through the day. Light ridgetop winds. Treeline high of -28°C, low of -29°C.
Tues
Mix of sun and cloud with minimal snowfall. Light ridgetop winds, treeline high of -24°C.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Ridgetop winds are forecast to continue through Sunday, likely forming new reactive wind slabs in lee features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Dry
This problem is likely to exist in steep areas with another 20 cm of new snow forecasted by Monday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5