Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Weather Forecast
Monday: Cloudy. Light snowfall. Ridgetop winds Moderate SW. Alpine Temps High -11, Low -16.Tuesday: Mix of Sun and Cloud. Afternoon Flurries. Ridgetop winds Moderate trending Light SW. Alpine Temps High -10, Low -17.Wednesday: Cloudy. Snow (5-10cm). Ridgetop winds Moderate-Strong SW. Alpine Temps High -10, Low -14.
Snowpack Summary
The recent trend of snowfall and wind continues. Currently 14cm of low density snow overlies several layers of previous wind and storm slabs. A persistent weak layer of facets on a crust or old wind slabs is now down 60-90cm. Where this layer is a crust/facet combo (most likely on Sunny aspects at Treeline), the slab sitting above will be touchy.
Avalanche Summary
As recently as Saturday, large wind and storm slab avalanches have been observed as a result of natural triggers in the alpine and at treeline, these occurred primarily on N and E (lee) aspects. Last Thursday at Treeline, a small (Size 1) persistent slab was accidentally triggered by a skier, on a steep, south facing, cross-loaded slope,
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3