Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 29 – 30, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating

Highlights

25cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a spring snowpack consisting of thick crusts and moist snow on most aspects. Keep an eye on how it is being affected by wind and sun over the next few days.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    With 25 cm of recent snow sitting on a thick melt freeze crust, there is potential for loose avalanches as temperatures rise in the afternoon  on solar aspects.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Deep layers are still responsive to large triggers (think cornices or rain) on high north faces. Though triggering this layer is unlikely, it's not impossible as evidenced by sporadic large avalanches.

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and clouds over the next few days with the potential for afternoon flurries. Freezing levels rising to around 2000m during the heat of the day, and winds increasing on Wednesday

Snowpack Summary

In most areas we are seeing 25cm of recent storm snow sitting on a typical spring snowpack (a thick crust over moist well bonded snow). The exception is high North facing terrain where temperatures have stayed cold and a winter snowpack remains, with facets continuing to linger at the base. Cornices remain large on alpine ridgetops.

Avalanche Summary

One cornice triggered 2.5 deep persistent slab out of unsupported high north facing terrain above Wall lake was observed on Monday.

Confidence

Regions covered