Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 4 – 7, 2020
View on map
Archived · expired 6 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Open full map

Highlights

The wind effected upper snowpack will be stressed by rapid warming caused by a strong temperature inversion in our area. Be mindful of your overhead hazard if you plan on venturing into the backcounty this weekend.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    This problem may be difficult to perceive with the strong temperature inversion keeping temperatures relatively cool at lower elevations. Be mindful of exposure to overhead hazard.

Weather Forecast

Alpine temperature inversion will be prevalent throughout the forecast period.

Thurs night- Freezing levels at valley bottom.

Friday- Mostly Sunny. Strong West wind in townsite, moderate at Cameron Lake. Alpine high of +5 with cooler temps at lower elevations.

Saturday- Sunny. Freezing levels above mt. top with inversion.

Sunday- Sunny. Alpine high 0.

Snowpack Summary

Wind transport has scoured SW aspects to ground in exposed alpine terrain. Northerly aspects & protected areas have wind slab 5-40cm thick over a melt freeze crust. Lower snowpack is beginning to facet below this crust.

Snowpack @ 2000m: Cameron Lake 80cm. Less than 30cm in rest of park. Below tree line elevation is under threshold snowpack height.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Regions covered