Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Travel may be difficult due to the lack of snow at lower elevations and slushy, unsupportive snow at all elevations. Continue to use caution on steep slopes as slushy snow could possibly be triggered until the snowpack refreezes.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous avalanches were observed from this week's warming including wet loose, persistent slab, and deep persistent slab avalanches to size 2.5.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine, moist snow sits on the surface with a capping melt freeze crust. Treeline and below, moist to wet snow exists down to weak layers and even ground in thin areas. All moist snow will start to refreeze through the forecast period. The Dec 23 melt freeze crust and facets are down 30-80 cm. An early season basal crust complex exists in most places in the alpine and at treeline. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Thurs
Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high of 5, freezing level above ridgetop. Wind SW 30-40 kph. No precipitation.
Fri
Mainly cloudy. Alpine high of 3. Freezing level 2400 m lowering to 2000 m. Wind SW 20-30 kph. Minimal precipitation.
Sat
Freezing level 1700 m with alpine high of -3. Wind moderate northerly. 10-15 cm precipitation.
For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Typically on steeper slopes and may trigger persistent slabs below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Could be initiated as a part of a step down avalanche from a wet loose avalanche from above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 2