Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 3 – 6, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Fresh windslabs will be easy to trigger as temperatures rise Friday and Saturday. This effect will be greatly enhanced by solar radiation if cloud cover is less then forecast.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Warm temperatures Friday and Saturday will make Windslabs easier to trigger. BTL rating on Saturday reflects potential for avalanches to run full path.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    The November facet/ melt freeze crust combo still lurks near the base of the snowpack. This layer could still be triggered by people in thinner snowpack areas, or by large triggers including cornices or smaller avalanches.

Weather Forecast

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels rising to 2000m. West Wind 40-60 gusting 80 km/h

Saturday: Mostly Cloudy with 2-8 mm of precipitation. Strong West winds. Freezing Level 1600m

Sunday: A mix of Sun and cloud with scattered flurries. Moderate - Strong West winds. Freezing Level dropping to valley bottom by sat evening.

Snowpack Summary

At cameron Lake, a 20-60cm Windslab had developed over the past week. The Middle of the snowpack is well settled but a weak facet/ melt freeze crust still lurks near the base of the snowpack.

The Front ranges have a deteriorating melt freeze crust up to 1800m on top of a faceted lower snowpack. Shallow snowpack areas require extra caution.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered