Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

LG, Avalanche Canada

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

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.

Summary

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.

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 -2Â°C

Tues

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

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

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.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Wet

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2024 4:00PM