Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2018 4:00PM

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

marcus waring, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

A semi supportive crust makes skiing possible in some locations but access is difficult.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Wind increasing to 50 km/h Friday afternoon and continuing through the weekend. We may see up to 5 cm of snow on Saturday but the models are in disagreement. Freezing level rising to Tree Line on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

20-50 cm of snow is on the ground in the area surrounding Cameron Lake. 5-10cm of recent snow will form new windslabs in the alpine and at tree line as winds increase Friday afternoon. The Nov 5 Melt freeze crust is present below 1950m on all aspects. Many areas are still below threshold.

Avalanche Summary

One Natural Size 1 Wind Slab at 2000m on N aspect of Mt. Custer (Cameron Lake). This is the only avalanche observation for the Akamina Parkway with excellent visibility.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

5-10cm of recent low density snow will form Windslabs as winds increase.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2018 4:00PM