Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 18 – 21, 2022
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

After a glorious week of calm in Waterton the wind is back with a vengeance Tuesday night. Watch for wind slabs in alpine lees where snow is available for transport.

We are back to spring weather. Watch for signs of instability as temp rise each day.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Return of the wind bring return of the wind slab. There is 25 -30cm of snow available for transport in the alpine. Use caution in lees especially at ridge top and in the alpine.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2

    Cornices will weaken with day time heating. Pay attention to over head hazard and minimize time below cornices.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Watch for pin wheeling and snow becoming moist with day time heating. Exercise caution in steep slopes, confined areas and terrain traps where small avalanches are high consequence.

Weather Forecast

Tonight: Wet flurries, amounting 5 cm. Extreme SW winds.

Tues: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. ALP high -3. Moderate gusting extreme W winds. FL 1600m.

Wed: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. ALP high -4. Light gusting strong W winds. FL 1800m.

Thur: Cloudy with isolated wet flurries. ALP high of 0. Light SW winds. FL 2100m

Snowpack Summary

25-30 cm snow overlies april rain crust on all elevations, all aspects. Snow surface became wet to 2000m on Monday. Well consolidated mid and lower snowpack. HS 250-300 cm near the continental divide.

Avalanche Summary

Few wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 with high freezing levels Monday. No new avalanches reported on Saturday. Please report any observations to the Mountain Information Network we really appreciate the information as neighboring operations are shutting down for the season.

Confidence

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

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