Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 12 – 15, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

Updated 08:00 am on Friday:

An unexpected but welcome 15-20cm of new snow has fallen in the park since yesterday, adding to our windslab problem. Blizzard like conditions are expected for the weekend, elevating the hazard rapidly.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    15-20cm of low density snow from yesterday has formed new windslabs in the alpine with moderate NW winds over previous slabs form the extreme wind event earlier this week.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Cornices are large in the park, and present the additional hazard of potentially triggering deep persistent weak layers. Give them a wider berth than you think, whether you are considering travelling on the ridge above or slope below.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Be mindful of overhead hazard if the sun makes an appearance, especially in steep rocky terrain.

Weather Forecast

Clear skies on Thursday morning making way to building clouds and afternoon flurries. The weekend is setting up for an intense upslope spring storm with blizzard like conditions.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of new snow from convective flurries yesterday overlies wind affected surfaces including windslab and crusts from the extreme wind event earlier in the week. The midpack is strong, though weaker basal facets still lurk in thin areas.

Cornices are large and looming.

Avalanche Summary

Surrounding areas have reported Natural and explosive triggered storm slab avalanches to size 2 in alpine features on Wednesday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered