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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 7th, 2024–Mar 10th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.

The SPAW for our region has ended however dangerous avalanche conditions still persist, read more about this in the latest forecaster blog here.

Warm weather more snow and increased winds are forecast for our area, avalanche danger is expected to rise again this weekend.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Winds picked up on Wednesday and several new natural avalanches were observed to size 3.5 in steep lee features alpine and treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong winds forming windslabs. The upper snowpack is settling with warmer temps. Surface snow is becoming moist on solar aspects in the afternoon and refreezing overnight. Feb 3rd crust/facets are down 60-120 cm. Below this, snowpack is a well settled facet crust complex. Snowpack depths between 80 - 230 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday

Mostly clear skies with an alpine high of -5°C. Winds moderate to strong SW. No precip.

Sat

Partially Cloudy, alpine high of -2°C. Freezing levels rise to 1850m. Light snow will start in the evening 5-10cm. Winds will be strong to extreme, SW.

Sun

Light flurries in the morning and partly cloudy by the afternoon. Winds decrease to moderate-strong SW. Alpine high of -5°C

For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer likely requires larger triggers or thin spots to initiate. Be cautious as the days warm up, sensitivity may increase.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Winds are forecast to increase through the weekend. Continued windslab growth will occur in lee features at all elevations. With warm temps the sensitivity of these slabs may decrease. If triggered windslabs could step down to the deeper persistent layer yield a large avalanche.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Wet

This problem will be at peak reactivity in the afternoon. Wet loose avalanches have potential to step down to deeper weak layers in the snowpack.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2