Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 25th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Marcus Waring, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Snowpack structure varies greatly with aspect, elevation, and time of day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mostly Sunny. Freezing Level 1900m. West wind 30km/h gusting 70.Wednesday: Cloud. Freezing Level 1700m. NE Wind 25-45 km/h.Thursday: Cloudy with sunny peroids. Freezing Level 1600m. East Wind 15-40km/h.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack structure varies greatly with aspect, elevation and time of day. We received 2-5 mm of precipitation over the weekend with a 1600m freezing level. New snow sits over a 4cm melt freeze crust on solar aspects above 1700m. Pockets of dry snow over windslab still exist on north aspects above TL. Midpack is strong above 1700m & Isothermic BTL.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity last 48h. A widespread, loose wet avalanche cycle during last weeks tropical heat has filled many avalanche paths with debris.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Primarily a Tuesday concern.

If triggered loose wet sloughs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Be mindful of the change in wind direction on tuesday night.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

There remains a concern for deep weak layers in thin snowpack areas. Warm temperatures and solar radiation have the potential to wake them up.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2019 4:00PM