Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2013 6:17PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada jon stuart-smith, Parks Canada

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Waterton Lakes.

Up to 55 cm of new snow at the top of Forum made for excellent turns on Monday. Strong SW winds have been building windslab on N & E aspects. Danger could increase with sunny periods on Tuesday and then snow and wind forecast for Wed and Thur.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tue – Clearing with light winds. Temps should be cool and freezing level valley bottom. The sun could peek out and warm southerly aspects.  Wed – Snow up to 15 cms. Strong SW winds, temperatures close to freezing. Thur – Continued precipitation and moderate to strong westerly winds. Temperatures should cool a bit to a max of -5 in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 55cm of snow over the last 48 hours is sitting on the Mar 16 melt freeze crust. The crust is present at all aspects and elevations, 7 cm or more thick, and very supportive. This new snow seems to be bonding and settling well with no major shears evident in tests on Monday. Windslabs have already been building on lee N & W slopes.

Avalanche Summary

It was possible to see evidence of sluffing during the storm on 120317 now that visibility has improved. Otherwise no new recent avalanche activity.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong winds are building windslabs on N & E aspects at treeline and above.  Tuesday might be a bit of a break but with more snow forecast for Wed windslabs will continue to be a concern. Use caution when entering wind affected terrain.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 21st, 2013 4:00PM

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