Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Freezing levels will be well above ridgetop for the next three days and a large avalanche cycle is expected to occur. Limit you exposure to overhead hazard and time spent on steep slopes as the cycle runs its course.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural wet loose avalanches to size 2, and a few windslab and persistent slab avalanches to size 2.5 were observed on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
We have had 20 cm of new snow since the 20th and have been redistributed into windslabs 20 - 40 cm deep in lee features in the alpine and treeline. The warm temperatures are making the surface snow moist at all elevations. There is a robust melt freeze crust buried 30 - 80 cm deep. This crust exists everywhere except for northerly aspects above 1900 m. The January drought layer lies 50 –130 cm deep, with snow depths at treeline averaging 130–200 cm.
Weather Summary
A significant warmup has started with freezing levels above ridgetop. See the table below for a more detailed forecast.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches were observed on all aspects at treeline and below and on solar slopes in the alpine on Monday. Expect this to continue for the next few days.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Solar triggered windslab avalanches were observed on Monday and likely to be a problem during this warmup.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
This problem remains a concern on high northerly aspects where the bridging crusts are thin or non-existent. Windslabs, wet loose avalanches, or cornice fall may trigger these deeper weak layers.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3