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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2025–Apr 15th, 2025

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

We are entering the spring mountain season. The main problems will be surface instabilities, daytime warming, and looming overhead cornices. The best skiing will be found on high northerly aspects. Unfortunately the ice climbing scene is grim with the exception of those willing to get their alpinism on.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations, however limited field observations this week.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow overlies surface crust on all solar aspects and settled snow on polar aspects in the alpine. Generally the lower snowpack is well settled with the January drought layer down 50-130cm and a total tree line snowpack depth of 130-200cm.

Weather Summary

5 - 10 cm of new snow expected Saturday night, and then a clearing trend for early next week. See photo for a more detailed 3-day forecast.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.