Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 18 – 21, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Another blast of winter weather!! Lots of uncertainty surrounding snowfall amounts for the next few days.

Pay attention to how the new snow bonds to old crusts.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    In sheltered areas new snow may run as dry loose on top of old crusts.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Small wet loose observed in the last couple of days on steep solars.

Last week numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed from steep terrain and on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and high treeline, 5-10 cm of snow sits over a melt freeze crust complex from last weeks warming events. The January melt freeze crust is buried up to 100cm. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar.

Weather Summary

Wed-Friday

The next three days will bring convective snow, heavy at times, with up to 40cm possible. Temps will generally be cool with daytime highs of -5 and lows of -7 in the alpine. Winds will be light to moderate from the NW. The skies will be mostly overcast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Regions covered