Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2016 4:48PM

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

Parks Canada Ruari Macfarlane, Parks Canada

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Waterton Lakes.

Anyone planning to travel in avalanche terrain on Saturday would be best to start and finish very early, to avoid rapidly increasing hazard as the day heats up. Sunday/Monday offer more reasonable temperatures and stronger morning re-freezes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Freezing Levels are forecast to remain in the alpine on Friday night, though mostly clear skies may allow a light refreeze of the snow surface. Expect sun Saturday morning, before moderate NE winds bring increasing cloud. Light showers turn to flurries early Sunday, as freezing levels drop to 1500m. Sun and rising freezing levels late Sun/Mon.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is isothermal in many areas, but will cool on Saturday night.  Multiple buried crusts, although soft/wet, are keeping the snowpack supportive through the cooler parts of the day.  The upper snowpack will be strong while frozen, but increasingly weak if temperatures rise above freezing, or during periods of strong sun.

Avalanche Summary

A few small (Size 1) Loose Wet avalanches were observed on Friday from steep terrain.  New glide cracks are appearing almost daily, as the whole snowpack slumps downhill on certain slopes, though no glide avalanche releases have been noted yet.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet
Don't expose yourself to steep slopes on Saturday or Monday, unless there is a solid surface freeze.  If you're sinking in to boot top, it's past time to go home!
Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, especially in the heat of the dayUse extra caution on solar slopes, or if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wet Slabs

An icon showing Wet Slabs
Glide cracks have been developing quickly on many slopes.  Avoid entering or travelling anywhere below these slopes.  Glide avalanche timing is difficult to predict. Glide avalanches are always large and destructive
Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of strong sun.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2016 4:00PM

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