Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 1 – 4, 2022
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Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

Skiing has improved quite a lot however some areas of January Crust are still exposed.

Cold temps are forecast for the next couple days, pack your extra layers and have a good trip plan.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Warm temps and wind on sunday night built thin soft windslabs in the alpine and at treeline in lee features. Winds have switched direction several times in the last few days anticipate some irregular loading.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow from Monday evening has fallen with light winds and cooler temps. Expect small dry loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed on Monday field day, however visibility was poor. Please post any avalanche observations on the Mountain Information Network, we really appreciate any observations.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

Tues: Partially cloudy with flurries in the afternoon. Alpine temps -18, with light winds. FL valley bottom

Wed: Partially cloudy no precip. Alpine temps, low -25, high -18. FL valley bottom with light to moderate winds.

Thurs: Partially cloudy with flurries. High -10 with moderate winds. FL valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

16cm storm snow with S-X winds, has built soft windslab. This overlies Jan 18 crust extending all aspects up to 2000m, and higher on solar aspects. Well settled midpack, with facets above Dec 4 crust, buried 150-200 cm, above Nov layers. At the time of writing snow is falling with more forecast. Check weather stations for updated amounts.

Regions covered