Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 16 – 19, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Watch for the hazard to rise rapidly with the forecast snow on Saturday

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–4
    Watch for this layer to wake up if we get rapid loading from new snow on Saturday night. Expect avalanches to run full path into the valley bottom.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will be steady around -5C on Friday and into Saturday with light to moderate SW winds. Temps look to drop Saturday night into the low teens with up to 30cm of snow and NE winds

Snowpack Summary

There is a weak facet layer deep in the snowpack that has been producing large avalanches in and around Waterton. Wind slabs can be found on lees slopes with the new snow and winds on Thursday.

Avalanche Summary

There were several large to very large avalanches in and around Waterton last weekend clearing mature timber and running to ground. Natural activity has tapered on this layer through the week but might wake up again with the rapid loading on Saturday night.

Confidence

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

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