Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 18 – 21, 2020Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Continued strong winds and a temperature swing from -30° to 0° will keep the hazard elevated over the next few days, especially in thinner snowpack areas. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Strong westerly winds will continue to form windslabs in the alpine and treeline.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    As temperatures warm, the basal facets may become a player again, especially in the relatively shallow front ranges. Consider overhead hazard, the consequence of a small avalanche triggering a deeper slab, and stick to deep well supported terrain.

Weather Forecast

Saturday: 5cm of new snow with continued strong westerly winds, with an alpine high of -10.

Sunday: Mainly sunny with isolated flurries with continued strong west wind and a high of -1

Monday: Sun and cloud with (you guessed it) strong west winds, and freezing levels rising to 1700m

Snowpack Summary

25-40cm of recent storm snow remains light and fluffy in sheltered areas, but has been heavily wind affected at upper elevations by west winds, especially towards the divide. The midpack is facetted in the front ranges, but remains strong and well settled in the Cameron lake area. The base of the snowpack consists of a weak facet layer.

Avalanche Summary

A couple small windslabs were observed in steep ridgetop lees along the Akamina Parkway.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday

Regions covered