Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2015 4:19PM

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

jon stuart-smith, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Expect springlike conditions everywhere except sheltered N aspects above treeline. Limit your exposure to cornices and steep sun exposed slopes during the heat of the day. Clouds and wind will help reduce the danger so pay close attention to weather.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The spring conditions will continue for at least the next week with little or now overnight freezing. Akamina pass was +10 degrees at 2pm on Monday and this will likely be the same until at least Sunday. Strong southwest winds and patchy cloud cover are helping keep the alpine slopes from completely melting but be prepared for spring conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures and no overnight freeze mean that sun exposed slopes have wet surface snow. Open areas at TL not sun effected will have hard slabs. These slabs, down about 15cm, were still reactive in tests on a NW slope in the Forum ridge area. Watch for shallow higher elevation areas where triggering deep instabilities is still a possibility.

Avalanche Summary

There has been snowballing and sluffing out of exposed rocky areas in sun exposed slopes. Otherwise there has been no new avalanche activity in the last couple of days.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Watch for sluffing to start out of exposed rocky areas where the suns heat has more impact. Limit your travel in steep exposed slopes during the middle of the day.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

These slabs are still a concern where the slope hasn't been sun effected. Steep, unsupported terrain is a likely trigger spot for these hard slabs that are found in shaded NE areas at treeline and above.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Strong winds have built large cornices on ridgetops that could fail with the warm temperatures and sun exposure. Avoid travelling under exposed slopes during the heat of the day.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2015 4:00PM