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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 11th, 2024–Mar 14th, 2024

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

Large avalanches remain skier triggerable on a lingering weak layer that has yet to heal.

New snow this week may be tempting, but conservative terrain choices are a must to stay safe out there.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Evidence still exists of a widespread natural avalanche cycle from a week ago, but no new avalanches have been observed in the past few days.

A size 3 persistent slab avalanche was triggered by skiers in K-country on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong SW winds and 15 cm of recent snow have built windlabs in the alpine and at treeline. A new sun crust exists on solar aspects under this snow. The Feb 3rd crust/facets are down 60-120 cm. Below this, snowpack is a well settled facet crust complex. Snowpack depths between 80 - 230 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Mostly cloudy with flurries and moderate to strong SW winds. 5 cm of precip. Freezing level 1500 m, alpine high of -7°C.

Wed

Up to 10cm with overcast skies. Winds switching to light from the north with an alpine high of -9°C and freezing level at 1500 m.

Thurs

Skies clearing with light north wind, no precip. Alpine high of -5°C with freezing level at 1500 m.

For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.