Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Marcus Waring, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Freezing Levels are uncertain on Saturday. Expected recently formed Wind Slabs to become reactive as temperatures rise.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Moderate west winds. Alpine high -7Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate westerly winds. Freezing level is uncertain but may rise into the alpine.Sunday:Â 5cm of snow with increasing West wind.

Snowpack Summary

30cm of recently wind affected snow sits atop a crust layer below 2000m . The midpack is strong in deep snowpack areas, but the facets lingering at the bottom remain a concern in thinner areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new Avalanche activity observed.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

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

Wind Slabs

Westerly winds have formed thin wind slabs over a crust layer.

Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2019 4:00PM