Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2019Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Mondays upslope storm has led to reverse loading creating new wind slabs.  Use caution in lee terrain and shallow snowpack areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Old Wind Slabs exist in typical lee ares but be on the lookout for reverse loading creating new Wind Slabs on Northerly aspects.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    This layer likely requires a large trigger. Be cautious when transitioning from thick to thin snowpack areas

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mostly Sunny. Light to Moderate West Wind. Freezing Level valley bottomWednesday: Mainly Cloudy.  Moderate SW Wind. Alpine temperature inversion.Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels rising to 1400m. .

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm of snow from Monday's upslope storm sits on a variable, wind affected bed surface . A Sun crust is forming on solar aspects. The midpack is strong in deep snowpack areas, but the facets lingering at the bottom remain a concern in thinner areas.

Avalanche Summary

Size 1 loose dry on N -NW aspect at 2000m. No other avalanche activity observed

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered