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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2024–Mar 2nd, 2024

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

The storm is upon us, the next couple days will be a great time to visit your local ski resort! If you do choose to go out make conservative terrain choices until the avalanche cycle has run its course and the snow has settled.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

One size 2 natural windslab was observed on Bertha Peak above the Waterton townsite.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme SW winds are rapidly building windslabs at all elevations. The Feb 3rd crust is down 50-100cm and has a thin layer of weak facets above it. The lower snowpack is a well-settled crust/facet complex to the ground. Average snowpack depths are between 100 - 175 cm.

Weather Summary

Thurs

Heavy snow, up to 40cm possible with strong to extreme SW winds. Freezing levels around 1900m

Fri

Temps cool and freezing levels fall back to valley bottom. Light snow continues, about 5cm with moderate SW winds.

Sat

Cool temps continue with freezing levels at valley bottom. Light snow and cloudy skies. Moderate SW winds

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.