Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 11 – 14, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The first real Heat Wave of Spring - use increasing caution with rising temps into next week. Scale back your exposure to large slopes, consequential terrain, and cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    More of a problem Tuesday on, especially if overnight temperatures remain high.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5
    The first sustained warming event of the season will put the deeply buried December Facet layer to the test. The 'where' and 'when' of this problem is difficult to evaluate, but likelihood will rise with the sustained warm temps forecast.

Weather Forecast

High pressure, clear skies, warm temps, and Light SW winds dominate the forecast period - expect strong solar input every day.  Cool temps overnight Saturday, Freezing Level (FL) to Treeline Sunday.  Cool again overnight Sunday, then FL into the Alpine Monday, staying high (warm) overnight, then soaring to mountaintop for Tuesday & beyond.

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snowfall from Friday night became moist on solar aspects up to treeline on Saturday. Light wind transport observed from the SW at ridges. On solar aspects the new snow overlies a crust 15cm down. The midpack is strong, but near the bottom of the snowpack is a weak layer of sugary facets; in deeper areas poorly bonded above a crust.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a natural avalanche cycle was observed within recent storm snow, on steep slopes, all aspects and elevations. Both Loose Dry and Storm Slab avalanches, mainly Small (size 1) but a few Large (Size 2). Many occurred on solar aspects as cold new snow rapidly became Moist in the sun.  More activity expected during warm temps Monday onward.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Regions covered