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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2024–Dec 21st, 2024

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Look for sheltered riding areas where the new snow has not been affected by wind - and the snow quality is better!

Reactive wind slabs are likely on exposed open slopes in the alpine and treeline, these will need a few days to bond to the underlying surface.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

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

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of new snow over the day on Wednesday and we could see another 5 cm of snow overnight into Thursday. This came in with westerly winds forming new windslabs in the alpine and treeline elevations. The new snow likely remains unconsolidated in sheltered treeline and below treeline areas. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Thurs

1 - 5 cm of snow overnight, ridgetop wind 40 - 60 km/hr from the west. Temperature decreasing to -8°C.

Fri

Clearing, ridgetop wind 60 km/hr, decreasing to 40 km/hr. Alpine high of +3°C.

Sat

Partly cloudy, ridgetop wind southwest 40 - 60 km/hr. Alpine high +4°C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

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.