Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 11 – 14, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A big warm-up is on the way for the weekend. Afternoon temps are forecast to rise close to +20 in the valley. During this period, avoid all avalanche terrain when temps rise in the afternoons. Start early and finish early, avalanche hazard reflects peak daytime warming.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    With warm temps this weekend this layer may become triggerable again.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Natural windslabs to size 1.5 observed in the alpine and upper treeline and natural wet loose on solar slopes to size 1 observed this week.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine - Recent SW winds have formed thin stubborn windslabs in lee features. Fetches are scoured to rocks and old crusts. Feb 03 crust/facets may still exist at high elevations and are down 100-120 cms

Tree Line - Wind affected snow at this elevation has been settling with warm temps. This overlies a well-settled lower snowpack.

Below Treeline - Moist faceted snow to ground with a new surface crust forming overnight. Most solar aspects are now below threshold for avalanches

Weather Summary

Fri

An alpine high of +5°C with broken skies. Winds moderate SW

Sat

Mostly clear skies with an alpine high of +10°C. Light SW winds

Sun

Clear with an alpine high of +12°C. Light SW winds, little overnight refreeze expected.

For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Regions covered