Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 25 – 28, 2019Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

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We are through the storm and natural activity has tapered off, but the potential for large avalanches running to the valley bottom remains. These could be triggered by cornices, small avalanches or humans in the wrong spot.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs will be thicker and more reactive the higher you go. Snow amounts change dramatically above 1800m.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    As natural activity on this layer begins to slow down, it is tempting to believe the problem has passed. This layer could still be triggered by people in thinner snowpack areas, or by large triggers including cornices or smaller avalanches.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Light winds and a mix of sun and cloud for christmas. Alpine high -9

Thursday: Cloudy with west winds increasing through the day and a mild inversion forming.

Friday: Continued inversion with flurries and strong NW winds.

Snowpack Summary

There is a highly variable snowpack across the forecast region. Generally the snowpack is wet and thin below 1800m capped by a met freeze crust. Above that, the Cameron Lake area received  85-100cm since Thursday. This sits on a weak facet/crust combo that is now down 150cm. The front ranges hold a thinner more wind affected snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural cycle occurred this past weekend, with avalanches to size 2 in the storm snow and some larger ones failing on deep persistent weak layers. A size 3 natural avalanche occurred on Mt Bertha early Sunday morning covering the Bertha Falls trail in debris, and a similar avalanche was seen on Mt. Crandell.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered