Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 28th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Marcus Waring, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Mondays upslope storm has led to reverse loading creating new wind slabs. Use caution in lee terrain and shallow snowpack areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mostly Sunny. Light to Moderate West Wind. Freezing Level valley bottomWednesday: Mainly Cloudy. Moderate SW Wind. Alpine temperature inversion.Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels rising to 1400m. .

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm of snow from Monday's upslope storm sits on a variable, wind affected bed surface . A Sun crust is forming on solar aspects. The midpack is strong in deep snowpack areas, but the facets lingering at the bottom remain a concern in thinner areas.

Avalanche Summary

Size 1 loose dry on N -NW aspect at 2000m. No other avalanche activity observed

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Old Wind Slabs exist in typical lee ares but be on the lookout for reverse loading creating new Wind Slabs on Northerly aspects.

Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer likely requires a large trigger. Be cautious when transitioning from thick to thin snowpack areas

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2019 4:00PM