Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
A rapid increase in temps coupled with a significant wind event has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Up to 50cm of storm snow is being rapidly transported at all elevations. Sticking to sheltered terrain will help to decrease your risk and keep your hat from blowing away!
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new naturals were observed this week, however, visibility has been poor.
Thanks to all the great posts this week on the Mountain Information Network, keep it up!!!
Snowpack Summary
30-50cm storm snow from this week is being redistributed by SW winds into new windslabs. This overlies a stiffer windslab from last week's wind events and the Mid-January crust interface that is now down 50-120 cm. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar, especially in thin areas. Below treeline, the Jan Crust overlies facets and depth hoar to ground.
Weather Summary
Saturday
Alpine high of -8 today under clear skies. Winds will be extreme from the SW, and no new precip expected
Sunday
Alpine high today of -5 with broken skies. Light flurries and winds decrease to strong SW.
Monday
Alpine high today of -15 with overcast skies and light flurries. Winds decrease to moderate out of the SW.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong to extreme winds are rapidly building new windslab in lees
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Weak grains in the form of facets have developed above and below the Mid January crust. Field tests on this layer Tuesday show that it may be gaining strength, however observations have been limited and it is now buried up to 1m deep. If triggered larger avalanches may occur.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3