Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 1st, 2021 8:34AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

Marcus Waring,

Waterton Lakes.

Start and finish your outing early as warm temperatures and solar radiation will increase the hazard throughout the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday: Sunny with moderate SW gusting 85km/h. Freezing level 2100m.

Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Moderate SW wind gusting 70km/h. Freezing level 2100m.

Sunday: Scattered showers with snow above 1900m. 8-15mm.

Snowpack Summary

Moist surface snow on solar aspects will create a crust that deteriorates through the day. Previous SW wind formed wind slabs up to 30cm deep in the alpine & exposed slopes at tree line. These wind slabs sit over a variety of old surfaces including a thick crust that exists to ridgetop except on high N aspects. Mid snowpack is well consolidated.

Avalanche Summary

Size one loose wet avalanches observed on solar aspects. Please consider submitting a MIN report if you see an avalanches.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday

Problems

Loose Wet

Pay attention to the air temperature and surface snow condition as conditions deteriorate through the day.

Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Pockets of windslab will become most reactive during peak warming.

Watch for stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Recent storm snow has formed wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 4th, 2021 4:00PM