Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 18 – 21, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Another storm is set to hit us on Tuesday. This may be the tipping point that overloads weak layers on the bottom of the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Old windslabs to be bonding well to old surfaces thanks to warm temperatures, but a new set will be forming with the incoming storm on Tuesday.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    New snow will increase the load on deep weak layers. We may see the same kind of cycle that our norther neighbours saw last week.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Periods of snow beginning Monday night with 16 cm of accumulation along the divide accompanied by strong west winds. Freezing levels Staying near 1600m.Wednesday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Moderate SW winds. Freezing level 1400mThursday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Moderate SW winds Freezing levels returning to 1600m

Snowpack Summary

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

Avalanche Summary

Natural and human triggered avalanche activity has tapered off, with no new avalanches observed in the region. Warm weather has caused pinwheeling on Solar aspects.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered