Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 10 – 12, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

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

Unsettled conditions for the next few days with new precipitation expected. Pay close attention to the weather and plan your day accordingly.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Continued strong winds and light snow will build windslab lee features. If triggered windslabs could step down to the deeper persistent layer yield a large avalanche.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–4

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

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Precip may fall as rain at lower elevations and create a wet loose problem

Weather Summary

Sun

Temps cool slightly, with an alpine high near zero. Partially cloudy with flurries and strong to extreme SW winds.

Mon

Snow overnight up to 10cm with overcast skies. Winds remain strong to extreme with an alpine high of -2°C

Tues

Flurries through the day under cloudy skies. Winds continue to be strong with an alpine high of -2°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.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed

Snowpack Summary

Very warm temps on saturday with an overnight refreeze has formed a new crust all aspects and all elevations. Dry snow may still exist on shady alpine polar slopes. Strong to extreme winds continue to build windlabs in the alpine and at treeline. The 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.

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