Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 16 – 19, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Sunshine and warmer weather will have a significant impact on the large amounts of fresh snow we have had and may affect cornices as well. The hazard will be lower in the morning if things refreeze but watch carefully for the effects of heating.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New snow from recent and incoming storms will fail easily in steep terrain with skier traffic and naturally from extreme terrain. With underlying crusts these events may travel a long distance and gain mass. Manage your group carefully.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    With mild spring temperatures and variable winds, new snow quickly settles into a slab. With sun and temperature crusts as a firm bed surface the bond of this new snow should be examined carefully before committing to steep or unsupported terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    The sun will come out Wednesday and quickly affect solar slopes and cornices. Rising temperatures will affect even shaded slopes Thursday and Friday. Be cautious with moist or wet snow especially if it penetrates as far as the crusts.

Weather Forecast

Wed mainly sunny freezing level near 1800m winds shifting to SE.Thursday sunny periods with a freezing level near 2000m.Friday Cloudy freezing level near 2000m winds SW

Snowpack Summary

65cm sits above the April 7 crust at treeline and 60cm sits above the April 11 crust on all aspects to 2000m and solar aspects to ridge lines.  Moderate winds today affecting ridgeline and exposed areas creating soft slabs. Crusts continue to gain strength but moist snow remains beneath them on solar aspects.  

Avalanche Summary

There has been widespread loose dry avalanches running naturally out of extreme terrain or sluffing with skiers in steep terrain. These events have been relatively small but some have run a long distance in continuously steep terrain sometimes  gouging down to the crusts. With increased wind today there was noticeably less of this activity

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Regions covered