Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 12 – 15, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

New snow could improve conditions, but wind may create unstable slabs at higher elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs will continue to form throughout next three days with new snowfall and southwest winds up to 50 km/hour.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    This problem remains a concern on high northerly aspects where the surface crust is thin or non-existent.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Snowpack Summary

5–10 cm of new snow rests on wind slabs up to 20 cm deep in open, wind-affected areas and on a crust 5 -30 cm thick everywhere else except for sheltered north-facing slopes. The January drought layer lies 40–100 cm deep, with snow depths at treeline averaging 130–200 cm.

Weather Summary

We expect some snow on Thursday and cooler conditions Friday and Saturday. See the table below for a more detailed forecast.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.

Regions covered