Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 14 – 17, 2019Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The rising temperatures this weekend and into next week will be the first real test of the facetted snowpack. If the sun comes out, local hazard levels will rise above what is posted.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    15-20cm of recent snow has formed windslabs. If the sun makes an appearance during the day, these will become easier to trigger.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    There remains the possibility to be surprised by deep weak layers in thin snowpack areas. As temperatures rise these will become increasingly unpredictable.

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mainly cloudy, moderate west winds. Freezing Level 1400m.Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Moderate west winds, freezing level 1600m.Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Moderate to Light west winds. Freezing level up to 1800m.

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm of powder is being blown into new wind slabs by moderate west winds. This is sitting on a sun crust on steep south aspects and hard wind affected surfaces everywhere else that are providing a good sliding surface for the new snow. Crust facet combinations remain deep in the snowpack at lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small loose dry avalanches were observed in the Cameron lake and Akamina Parkway area on Thursday, and one older small avalanche with a 60cm deep crown was observed below treeline in a thin snowpack area. In the Castle Mountain region, two large avalanches were reported on NW aspects from the past week likely running on deep week layers.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Regions covered