Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Windslabs will get buried by new snow in the next couple days, use caution in exposed areas. Thin conditions still exist near valley bottom watch for stumps and rocks.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new naturals observed however, a size 3 windslab result was reported with explosives from a nearby ski hill.
Snowpack Summary
30 cm of unconsolidated snow has been redistributed into windslabs in exposed areas. A recently buried thin crust exists on solar aspects. This overlies a thick melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations. Below this, the snowpack is moist to ground at treeline and below, now slowly refreezing. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Tues
Overnight - snow heavy at times between 10-15 cm
Continued flurries up to 5 cm are possible under overcast skies. Alpine high of -10°C with light NE wind.
Wed
Partially cloudy with no significant precip. Alpine high -15°C with light NE winds
Thurs
Light flurries up to 5 cm possible with overcast skies. Alpine high of -20°C with moderate east winds.
For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs that formed this week are being buried by new storm snow which may make them more sensitive to trigger.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2