Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Recent snowfall is bonding well but pockets of wind slab still exist on lee features in the alpine. Take a step back and be mindful of your overhead hazard if the temperatures rise as forecast on Sunday.
Weather Forecast
Friday: Cloudy with sunny periods & flurries. Alpine high of +1. Moderate W wind with strong gusts.
Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods & isolated flurries. Alpine high of -2. Moderate SW wind.
Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods & isolated showers. Alpine high of +7 with freezing level rising to 2300m. Moderate SW wind with extreme gusts upto 100km/h
Snowpack Summary
Not much change to the snowpack in the past week. 5-20cm of settled storm snow sits over a thick crust that exists to ridgetop except on high north faces. This tops a well consolidated snowpack with the lower half composed of dense facets and decomposing crusts, none of which have been reactive in snowpack tests or recent avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
Size 1 Loose dry avalanches in a steep lee features on the Akamina Parkway.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Sunday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snowfall paired with periods of variable wind will continue to build slabs in immediate lee features. Assess the bond of slab to the crust below, and use small representative test slopes to get a picture of reactivity.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
This problem is specific to Sunday when the temperatures rise dramatically. Be mindful of your overhead hazard and avoid sun affected slopes.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5