Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
The arctic temperatures continue! Bring extra layers in case of emergency, and plan to end your day well before it gets dark. This is not the kind of weather you want to spend a night out in!
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Low -33 C, High -22 C with an alpine inversion. Light west winds.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low -34 C, High -31 C with an alpine inversion. Moderate east winds.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low -34, High -20 with an alpine inversion. Moderate east to Northeast winds.
Snowpack Summary
30-35cm of fluffy snow sits on the surface at Cameron Lake with limited wind effect at treeline and below. In the alpine, new snow has been distributed by westerly winds. New snow sits over previous wind slab which overlies a crust below 1900m. The midpack is well consolidated at Cameron Lake but quickly becomes faceted in areas east of the divide.
Avalanche Summary
Several small (size 1-1.5) loose dry avalanches were seen in steep terrain on Tuesday. One larger Size 2 slab avalanche triggered by cornice fall was seen in the Cameron Lake area on a northeast aspect at treeline.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are forming in unusual places with winds coming through in all different directions. Feel for pockets of stiffer snow before you commit to your line.
- Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by North through East winds.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
The problem is specific to steep terrain and will become easier to trigger as cold temperatures start to facet the new snow.
- Be very cautious with gully features.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5