Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
20 cm of snow sits on top dirt to 1800m. Below treeline remains well below threshold. Use extreme caution on approach and exits.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Winds strong decreasing to moderate throughout day. Alpine temps High -14. FL valley bottom.
Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temps High - 15. Moderate SW winds. FL valley bottom.
Tuesday: Cloudy with chance of flurries. Alpine temps High - 9. Moderate SW winds. FL valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack at tree line is 100 - 70 cm deep. 20 cm of snow of light unconsolidated snow has fallen in the last 24 hours. South west winds have created soft wind slabs in AL and TL lees. Mid and lower pack is cohesive and refrozen after Nov 30 rain event. November melt freeze crusts are 30-20cm above ground. Under 1800m is below threshold.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed. Observations in the area are very limited, if you go out into the mountains please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations on Saturday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
20 cm new snow and moderate variable winds have created soft windslab in lees in alpine and treeline.
- Early season hazards such as rocks, trees and stumps are very prevalent
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
20 cm unconsolidated snow not bonding to rain crust from Nov 30. Watch for sluffing in steep terrain.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5