Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton Lakes.
15 cm snow and strong SW winds on Saturday has created wind slabs in lees. New windslabs may take time to bond to variable surfaces below. Still not enough snow to ski below treeline.
Weather Forecast
Sunday: Cloudy with flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Strong SW winds . Alpine temps High -8. FL valley bottom.
Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temps High - 4. Light S winds. FL valley 1500m.
Tuesday: Cloudy with flurries. Accumulation 9 cm. Alpine temps High - 4. Moderate SW winds. FL 1500m.
Snowpack Summary
15 cm of new snow since Saturday morning. Strong south west winds are creating 20- 30 cm wind slabs in lees at AL and TL. This overlies a variable surface of stripped rock, 30 cm wind slab and rain crust. Mid and lower pack is cohesive. November melt freeze crusts are 30-20cm above ground. Under 1800m is below threshold.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed. Observations in the area are very limited due to visibility, if you go out into the mountains please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
15 cm new snow and strong south west winds are creating windslab in lees at alpine and treeline.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Storm Slabs
Expect to see 15 cm storm slabs being reactive in AL and TL on Sunday. Storm slabs will likely settle out toward the beginning of week.
- Use caution in alpine and open treeline lees. Recent snowfall has created storm slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5