Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wet Slabs and Cornices.

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The hot sunny weather we've been enjoying will persist through Thursday. On Friday, a weak upper trough arriving from the SW will give increasingly cloudy conditions and the rain/snow showers. Total accumulations are forecast to be 10-15mm by Saturday evening, with freezing levels as low as 2000m.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is isothermal (punchy and wet to ground) and disappearing quick. Surface crusts may recover briefly after cool, clear nights, but will rapidly break down with the new day. North aspects in the alpine may be an exception, where surfaces can remain firm but winter-like through out the day. Most lower elevation lopes in the East are dry.

Avalanche Summary

No significant activity has been observed or reported recently.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

If off-trail travel is deep and punchy, avoid all avalanche terrain, including runouts.Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wet Slabs

The free water generated by snowmelt will make ground surfaces wet, possibly causing areas with existing glide cracks to avalanche to ground. These avalanches would be very large.

Avoid exposure to overhead slopes with Glide Cracks. Avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid slopes with glide cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

Expect continued occurrences of natural cornice failures, due to sustained high freezing levels.

Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2016 4:00PM