Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 21st, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Marcus Waring, Parks Canada

Waterton Lakes.

Freezing levels will drop to 1700m on the weekend. Until then, avoid avalanche terrain and be mindful of your overhead hazard.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday:Â Sunny. Freezing Level 3000mÂ Light West wind.Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Freezing Level dropping to 1800m. 1-2mm of precipitation possible.Sunday: Cloudy with a chance of flurries. Freezing Level 1600m

Snowpack Summary

Solar affect is the primary concern for Friday. Up to 1m of moist snow on solar aspects during the heat of the day. The lower snowpack remains weak and facetted, and as the warm temperatures continue there is a possibility this layer could produce large avalanches.

Avalanche Summary

A number of Natural, Size 2 loose wet avalanches were observed on Mt. Bertha and along the Akamina Parkway during the week. They entrained a substantial part of the facetted snowpack in some areas, making them larger than one might expect.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.If triggered loose wet sloughs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs formed on Thursday may still be reactive on shaded aspects at higher elevations.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

There remains a concern for deep weak layers in thin snowpack areas. Warm temperatures and solar radiation have the potential to wake them up.

Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2019 4:00PM