Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 20 – 23, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

An additional 20-30cm of snow has fallen, and more is forecast for Thursday. Choose conservative terrain and evaluate the lower layers in the snowpack carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New windslabs have formed with 20-30cm of new snow along the divide. Continued snow and wind Thursday night will continue to build slabs.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    New snow has increase the load on deep weak layers. This loading is likely to continue on Thursday Night with continued snowfall, increasing the potential for human triggering.

Weather Forecast

Thursday: 15cm of snow along the divide with moderate to strong windsFriday: Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries and cooling temperatures down to -15 overnight. Winds moderate gusting strong.Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack in Waterton is highly variable, but you can count on a weaker structure along the divide where another 20-30cm of recent storm snow on Tuesday has formed windslabs on lee slopes which are sitting on a weak snowpack consisting of old windslabs, facets and crusts.

Avalanche Summary

As of Wednesday morning, one size 2 skier accidental was reported on Monday running on the basal facets.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered