Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Weather Forecast
Up to 5cm Friday and 5 Saturday is forecast to arrive with continued moderate West winds. Strong solar heating Thursday with a poor recovery expected overnight. Freezing levels quickly returning to 1800m Friday then 1600m for Saturday and 1800m again for Sunday. A freezing level of 3000m with sunny periods will be a significant change for Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Surface crusts on East through West aspects have formed with the daily heating pattern. A shear persists down about 30 cm on shaded aspects on the 0325 interface. March crusts down 70 to 100cm on all but North aspects above treeline could be a problem with strong sustained warming or rain. Feb facets still a concern in high elevation thin areas.
Avalanche Summary
Only superficial loose moist activity has been seen over the last few days however a few significant slabs were triggered by cornice failures associated with wind and warming last weekend.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3