Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 15 – 18, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Good skiing on sheltered N & E aspects today. A caution for daytime warming effect on cornices and steep solar aspects.  If Saturdays forecast snow amounts are higher than expected the Avalanche Hazard may rise to Considerable at tree line and above.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Currently the wind slabs appear to be bonding well but caution should be used in steep or unsupported terrain where these are present.  If the forecast snow arrives with gusty winds on Saturday, new wind slabs will form and the hazard will rise.

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud with mild temperatures is expected for Friday.  Saturday a cold front is expected to bring light to moderate precipitation and gusty NW winds with cooling temperatures.  Sunday may see some light flurries and a continued NW air flow over the region.

Snowpack Summary

A trace of new snow overnight.  Sun crust forming on steep solar aspects.  Wind effect in open areas at tree line and above.  Wind slabs forming near ridge crests with moderate NW winds.  Otherwise a well settled snowpack with few weaknesses.

Avalanche Summary

Only a couple of cornice triggered sluffs have been observed out of extreme terrain in the last couple days.  Recent wind slabs seem to be bonding well to the underlying surfaces but may be susceptible to skier triggering in very steep or unsupported terrain.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered