Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2023–Dec 21st, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Travel on skis is still very difficult, some eager skiers have been travelling uphill in boots. If you do venture out be very careful as many early-season hazards still exist. See this MIN for photos of conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been observed.

Snowpack Summary

As of Dec 18: Strong to extreme winds continue, however very little snow is still available for transport. Old wind slabs exist in the alpine and treeline 20 - 50 cm deep. This overlies crust on the ground. Total snowpack depths average 30 - 50 cm.

Wednesday

As of Dec 18: Strong to extreme winds continue, however very little snow is still available for transport. Old wind slabs exist in the alpine and treeline 20 - 50 cm deep. This overlies crust on the ground. Total snowpack depths average 30 - 50 cm.

Thursday

As of Dec 18: Strong to extreme winds continue, however very little snow is still available for transport. Old wind slabs exist in the alpine and treeline 20 - 50 cm deep. This overlies crust on the ground. Total snowpack depths average 30 - 50 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Mainly cloudy, strong to extreme SW winds, freezing level falling to 2100 m. Light snow near Continental Divide, 2-10 cm possible

Wed

Strong to extreme west or southwest winds continue bringing flurries near the Continental Divide

FL 2000 m

Thurs

Mainly cloudy, strong to extreme W winds, flurries near Continental divide. Freezing levels falling to valley bottom

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

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.