Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
Akamina Parkway is CLOSED to vehicles, stay tuned in to 511 for updates.
Foot access to Akamina and Red Rock Parkway remains open.
Weather Forecast
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud. moderate to strong winds. Alpine high -5. Freezing level 1300m.
Tuesday: Overcast, with 10cm of snow. Winds light to moderate. Alpine high -3, freezing level 1500m
Wednesday: Overcast, with 10cm of snow. Winds light to moderate. Alpine high -2, freezing level 1600m
Snowpack Summary
X winds and warmth have transported yesterdays 65cm of snow into windslabs up to 1.5m deep, this sits atop a 10 - 30 cm hard wind slab. Mid pack is well settled. Facets are found above Dec 4 crust down 150-200cm. A 20-60 cm thick Nov crust complex completes the snowpack to ground. One significant size 4 Avalanche on Dec 4 crust today.
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche cycle with several avalanches size 1-3 observed today. One significant size 4 avalanche on Mt Bertha that ran full path and buried the hiking trail in 10m of debris. Suspect this large result initiated on Dec 4 crust. Thanks to everyone posting on the Mountain Information Network, keep up the great work, we really do read them.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong to extreme SW winds and warm temps have formed windslabs in lees at all elevations.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
One significant size 4 event on this layer today.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 4