Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.
Snow is expected for Wednesday with strong to extreme westerly winds. Hazard will increase, especially if storm totals are above forecasted (10-20 cm).
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 10 cm of new snow fell over the weekend 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
Tues
Cloudy with scattered flurries.
Accumulation: 5 cm.
Alpine temperature: High -5 °C.
Wind SW: 25-40 km/h.
Wed
Periods of snow. Up to 20 cm.
Alpine temp: High -1 °C.
Wind: SW 50 km/h gusting to 80
Thurs
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. A trace of precipitation.
Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.
Wind: SW 30-40 km/h.
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.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslab continues to build in alpine and at treeline with light to moderate SW wind. New snow on Wednesday with strong to extreme W wind will build a new windslab on top of this.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2