Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2016 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Fast travel will reward those who get out early. Bring ski crampons for the morning and skin wax for the afternoon. JH

Summary

Weather Forecast

A trailing warm front spinning off of an Aleutian low pressure center will bring an end to the clear skies and cool weather we have been enjoying. Current models are predicting a warming spike for Friday afternoon, with freezing levels as high as 3300m. Saturday will be cloudy with scattered flurries and freezing levels up to 2200m.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack is now well settled, with a surface crust forming overnight on solar aspects and breaking down with mid-day warming. At treeline and in the alpine a crust down 30-55cm persists as a concern. Widespread below 2200m and extending into the alpine on solar aspects, this was responsible for several large avalanches last week.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet avalanches up to size 1.0 were observed on solar aspects below treeline today. Otherwise there has been no new activity since last weekend.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2016 4:00PM