Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 10 – 13, 2020Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Recent storm snow is expected to  transition to Windslab as the Waterton winds return Friday. This Windslab may get buried by a heavy snowfall if forecast upslope conditions materialize on Saturday evening.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windslabs will create a sensitive bed surface for new snow arriving on the weekend.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    The November facet/ melt freeze crust combo still lurks near the base of the snowpack, and is still very much in play with incoming snow. Triggers could include cornices, avalanches in the storm snow, or people in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Forecast

Friday: Scattered Flurries. Freezing level valley bottom with Moderate SW winds.

Saturday: Flurries with 1-5 cm of snow. SW winds increasing as temperatures drop rapidly saturday night. Potential for heavy snow overnight with upslope enhancement.

Sunday: Uncertain timing and intensity of incoming storm.10-50cm of snow with moderate -strong wind.

Snowpack Summary

Cameron lakes received 40cm of new snow over the past 48h. Windslabs & cornices are maturing creating the potential for larger avalanches as the load increases during the incoming storm on sunday. A crust down 10-30cm exists up to 1800m. The Middle of the snowpack is well settled but a weak facet/ melt freeze crust still lurks at base of snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Size 1- 1.5 Natural Windslabs observed in the alpine in the Cameron Lakes Drainage today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Regions covered