Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
ncreasing winds over the next few days will form wind slab in lee areas that may not bond well to the underlying crust. Take the time to investigate as you transition into to wind affected areas.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Increasing cloud and winds through the day from the southwest up to 50km/h at ridgetop. Temperatures around -9.
Monday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and moderate west winds. Alpine high -10
Tuesday: Light snow, with winds dramatically increasing to 90km/h at ridgetop form the west. Alpine high -9
Snowpack Summary
In the Cameron lake area, 10-20cm of faceted storm snow sits above a crust, and will be blow into new windslabs. A well consolidated midpack sits above a thick ice crust that forms the bottom of the snowpack. Treeline snow depth in the Cameron lake area just over 1m with amounts tapering quickly at lower elevations and in other areas of the park.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches observed
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Increasing southwest winds will form wind slabs in lee areas that will not bond well to the underlying faceted snow above a crust. This could create potential for wide propagations.
- Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.
- Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Facetted surface snow will slide easily on the newly formed December 9 crust, especially on sheltered steep smooth slopes. This will become less of a problem by tuesday as winds increase.
- Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5