Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Continued snowfall Tuesday into Wednesday with elevated winds will contribute to slab development.
Expect to find fresh wind slabs on Wednesday.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Skiers have triggered a few slabs nearby over the last week. A size 2 slab out of bounds at Castle Mt Resort has some significant consequences. A skier on Forum Ridge reported triggering a size 1.5 slab with no involvement which apparently ran on the mid-January crust.
Snowpack Summary
20 to 35 cm of snow overlies old wind effect or the mid-January crust that exists up to 2400m. Wind effect can be found in open areas with wind slab development reaching below treeline areas. The mid-pack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar, especially in thin areas.
Weather Summary
A moist westerly flow will bring strong winds and snow Tuesday. A ridge building Wednesday will bring lighter winds, clearing and cooling.
Tuesday: Alpine winds 80-100 km/h from the west will diminish to 60 to 80km/h out of the southwest with treeline temperatures near -5C. 5cm to 10 cm of snow.
Wednesday: 5-10cm of snow overnight with clearing expected during the day treeline temperatures dropping to -10C as alpine winds diminish to 40km/h out of the northwest.
Thursday: Alpine winds increase to 60 to 80km/h and shift to west. Mainly clear. Treeline temperatures increase to -5C.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong to extreme SW alpine winds last week created windslabs in the alpine, treeline and open areas below treeline. Where these slabs overly a crust, expect them to remain reactive for some time. Incoming snowfall Tuesday can be expected to create fresh slabs that will likely be more sensitive to triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2