Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 25 – 28, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Happy Holidays! Ski quality is slowly improving along the divide, but persistent weak layers remain deep in the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs may be sitting on a weak facet layer in some areas. Carefully evaluate the snowpack as you transition into treeline and alpine terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3
    Though we have not been seeing many recent results on this layer, the potential to trigger it remains in thin snowpack areas

Weather Forecast

We are entering a fairly benign weather pattern, with alpine temperatures remaining in the negative teens. We may see increasing cloudiness, moderate westerly winds and some flurries on Boxing day.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack remains variable with depths ranging from 20 to 160cm along the divide. 10cm of blower sits on a variety of wind affected surfaces including wind slabs from the previous storm. The lower snowpack appears to be gaining strength in deeper areas, though thin areas remain weak.

Avalanche Summary

Isolated loose dry avalanches were observed in steep north facing alpine terrain near Cameron Lake. Our neighbours continue to see explosives triggering wind slabs to size 2

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Regions covered