Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 5 – 8, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Hazard will increase dramatically on Friday and Saturday as Waterton receives a heavy snow load on the weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Watch out for heavily loaded pockets near ridgetops or in cross loaded features.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Up to 35 mm of precipitation is expected  Friday pm into Saturday. This could translate to between 20 and 50cm of snow in Waterton park. Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading and give new snow time to settle.

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Mostly sunny. SW wind 30km/h gusting up to 90km/h. Freezing level 1700m

Friday: Mainly cloudy with scattered, wet flurries. SW wind 20km/h gusting 80. Freezing level 1500m

Saturday: Snow. 20- 40 cm is expected in the townsite. Moderate NE winds. Freezing level valley bottom. Potential upslope conditions.

Snowpack Summary

The weekend will have a widespread & reactive storm slab. As of Wednesday, strong-extreme SW winds with intermittent snowfall has aided windslab development. These fresh windslabs are well bonded to the multiple sun & temperature crusts present in the upper snowpack. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets still lurk in thin areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations.

Significant cornice growth noted throughout Waterton Park.

Confidence

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

Regions covered