Waterton will return to winter this weekend. Watch out for the new snow running far and fast on crusts.
Weather Forecast
Weather models disagree on snowfall amounts starting Friday afternoon but Waterton could see up to 20cm of snow overnight into Saturday. With the snow, temperatures will fall with day time highs between -5 and -10 and light winds from the NE. More snow is also forecast for Sunday night into Monday.
Snowpack Summary
The warm temperatures and sunny skies have been melting the snowpack at lower elevations. However the snowpack at higher elevation, including cornices, are still large and demand respect. Watch out for storm slabs with new snow on friday.
Avalanche Summary
A large natural avalanche was observed north of Waterton stepping down to the weak facets at the base of the snowpack. Small wet avalanches have been observed from steep solar aspects up to tree line.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.