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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2020–Mar 19th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes.

The weekends storm snow is settling fast but unfortunately, the snow quality is deteriorating just a quickly. Good skiing can still be found in sheltered areas but that will change as the temperature drops.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mostly Sunny with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Light west wind. Freezing level 2000m

Wednesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Moderate NE wind. Freezing level valley bottom.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Moderate NE wind. Freezing level valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

A sun crust is developing on the surface. Waterton received 40cm of snow in the townsite & 20cm at Cameron Lake over the weekend. This storm was accompanied by easterly winds so expect reverse loading. The new snow is settling fast thanks to high daytime temperatures. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets still lurk in thin areas.

Avalanche Summary

Multiple natural size 1- 1.5 dry loose avalanches observed in steep alpine lee slopes on Sunday.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.