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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2024–Dec 15th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Lower elevations are thin with lots of early season hazards. Decent skiing exists in more sheltered treeline areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches have been observed in the park, however observations have been limited.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 8 cm of new snow in the past 12 hours in the western areas of the park. This came in with moderate to strong southwest winds, likely forming thin new wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. This overlies variable surfaces including crust on solar aspects and old wind affected snow. Settling unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Sun

A mix of sun and cloud, alpine high of -5°C. Strong SW winds at ridgetop.

Mon

Cloudy with isolated flurries and light SW winds. Alpine high of -8°C

Tues

Clearing trend. Ridgetop winds moderate westerly and alpine high of -7°C

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.