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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2024–Mar 7th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
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.

Weather is improving and some clear days are ahead this week. Don't let nice weather and soft snow lull you into complacency. Use careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route-finding while the snowpack continues to adjust to the new load.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A large cycle occurred last week during the storm with natural avalanches to size 3. We suspect many of these failed on the Feb 03 crust/facet combo. Avalanches were observed at all elevations and on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of low-density storm snow has fallen with moderate wind forming thin new windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. 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 - 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Broken skies with light flurries in the early morning. Alpine temps rise to -8°C with light to moderate SW.

Wed

Clear skies with no forecast precip. Temps continue to rise to -5°C in the alpine. Winds will be light to moderate SW

Thurs

Clear skies with no forecast precip. Temps steady at -5°C in the alpine. Winds will be light to moderate SW

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.

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.