Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2016 4:57PM

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

Ruari Macfarlane, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

A smorgasbord of crusts are making for poor skiing. Welcome snowfall tonight will help. Lee aspects at Treeline will offer the best snow... look for sheltered slopes though, to avoid grabby wind slabs.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A fast moving cold front hauls freezing levels down from treeline to lake level on Sunday night, bringing 10-15cm of new snowfall with strong-extreme SW winds. Winds ease tomorrow, and remain moderate from the SW through Wednesday. Cool temperatures; except becoming mild late Tuesday, with a skiff of fresh snow arriving tuesday night.

Snowpack Summary

More spring-like every week: firm, with a variety of crusts making for poor skiing below treeline, and on solar aspects. Strong SW winds are forming wind slabs, found lee of ridges at treeline, and on open slopes. These should bond quickly to the old snow. A crust-facet combo buried 30-60cm is now strengthening, but worth keeping in mind.

Avalanche Summary

Several small Loose Wet avalanches occurred Below Treeline on Friday night, during warm temperatures and light rain. Small, fresh cornices on Forum Ridge on Sunday were reactive to human triggering, but only propagated a few meters.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow will be blown into lees on Sunday night, as temperatures drop. New Wind Slabs will probably be stubborn. However, evaluate lee slopes with care on Monday. Cornices overhead are a sign of big lee slopes, and may fail naturally at any time.

Test slopes before committing to them.Use caution in lee areas. New snowfall mixed with wind loading will created slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2016 4:00PM