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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2024–Apr 6th, 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.

A storm is arriving over the next few days. The new snow will be falling on crust, likely forming reactive storm slabs. There is some uncertainty with snowfall amounts, higher than forecasted snowfall may increase the hazard further.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural wet loose avalanches were observed on Wednesday, up to size 2 on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

20 - 30 cm of new snow will fall on melt freeze crust at all aspects and elevations. The Feb 3rd crust/facet weak layer is buried 60-120 cm deep. Below this, the snowpack consists of a mixture of settled snow and crust/facet layers to ground. Snowpack depths between 80 - 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Thurs

5 - 10 cm snow overnight with an additional 10 cm through the day. Wind 20-30 km/hr from the NE and freezing level falling to near valley bottom.

Fri

10 cm of new snow overnight and flurries through the day. Light to moderate NE winds, freezing level 1600 m.

Sat

Moderate snowfall over the day with 5 - 15 cm possible. Light N winds at ridgetop and freezing level rising to 2000 m.

For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.

Problems

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.