Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Weather Forecast
Cool temperatures on Tuesday morning rise through the day, with SW winds increasing from Moderate to Strong. 5-10cm of snow is forecast for early Wednesday morning. Wednesday and Thursday should see flurries, Freezing Levels from valley floor to 1900m, and Moderate to Strong SW winds.
Snowpack Summary
Crusts and wind affect make for tricky skiing in places, but make for fast travel below treeline. New snow is being blown around by Strong SW winds, developing cornices on ridges, and wind slabs on many lee slopes. A crust-facet combo buried 40-70cm has strengthened somewhat, but has continues to produce sudden test results on some slopes.
Avalanche Summary
Fresh cornices on Forum Ridge on Sunday were reactive to human triggering, but only propagated a few meters. On Monday, a neighboring operation observed a large slab avalanche on a north aspect in the backcountry. It was naturally triggered in extreme terrain by cornice fall.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2