Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Some areas of the park have up to 50cm of new storm snow. Pay close attention to how this new snow bonds to the crust below especially if the sun pops out in the next few days.
The persistent layer is still out there and will be most triggerable on north slopes that don't have the new crust.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small dry loose point releases were observed during the storm.
Snowpack Summary
30-50cm of new snow overlies a new March 21st crust. Dry snow may have still existed on steep high north slopes. The Feb 3rd crust/facet persistent weak layer is buried 60-100 cm deep. Below this, the snowpack consists of a mixture of settled snow and crust/facet layers to ground. Snowpack depths between 80 - 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Mon
Partially cloudy and a chance of flurries, an alpine high near -2. Winds light to moderate NW
Tues
Cloudy and convective flurries. Alpine high near zero with light to moderate NW winds
Wed
Broken skies with a chance of flurries. Alpine high near zero with moderate to strong west winds
For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
This snow may also be triggered as a dry loose in steep sheltered areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
This layer may still be reactive on north slopes in the alpine or at treeline where a new crust does not exist. If you trigger this layer the consequence will still be very high.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5