Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2013 4:00PM

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

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Until things cool down travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended! Rain soaked surface snow was found to tree line today. If the forecast cooling and new snow begins to arrive on Saturday night things could improve quickly.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A slow cooling trend with light precipitation over the next few days. Friday freezing levels slowly drop to 2000m, light precip, a mix of sun and cloud and moderate WNW winds. Saturday freezing levels to 1800m, light precipitation, cloudy with moderate W winds. Sunday freezing levels dropping to valley bottom, 10cm of snow and moderate W winds.

Snowpack Summary

A trace of new snow overnight above 2200m. Moderate to strong West winds forming soft slab on high North aspects. Moist surface snow to ridge top on S aspects and to 2200m on N aspects today. 20-40cm of rain soaked surface snow at tree line and below. A few glide cracks opening up near tree line with the warm temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

The past two days have seen a widespread cycle of loose wet avalanches up to size 2 on all aspects and at all elevations. Several wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were also observed out of high N aspects occurring in the last several days and likely cornice triggered. This activity should decrease as temperatures cool over the next few days.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

Currently a cycle of loose wet avalanches is occurring at all elevations in steep terrain. This should decrease as temperatures cool by Saturday and the snowpack tightens up. Until things cool down travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

At higher elevations on N aspects soft slabs are forming with continued moderate W winds. We may see new slabs form over the next few days as freezing levels drop and new snow arrives. Use caution when entering wind affected terrain.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 17th, 2013 4:00PM