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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 24th, 2025–Feb 27th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.

We have seen a significant avalanche cycle in Waterton over the last couple days, new snow has overburdened buried weak layers and produced large avalanches. Use cautious terrain management over the next few days as avalanches will continue to be human triggerable.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Widespread natural cycle over the last few days with windslab, wet loose and persistent slab avalanches to size 3

The notable size 3 avalanche was on Bertha Mountain above the Waterton Townsite and deposited debris within 100m of town.

Snowpack Summary

~30 cm of storm snow has fallen over the last few days, this snow arrived with winds up to 70km/h. This has formed windslabs in the alpine/treeline. It rained below 1800 m and saturated the snowpack.

The January drought layer is 30 - 60 cm down. This layer includes facetted snow on northerly aspects or a melt freeze crust below treeline and on steep solar slopes into the alpine. Generally, the snowpack is weak and facetted.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100 - 160 cm.

Weather Summary

Warm temps and strong winds continue for the next few days. See table for details.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Rapid loading through Monday produced numerous natural avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

New wind load is causing the January 31st drought layer to fail in many places

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Loose Wet

Pay special attention to steep slopes when the sun is out.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2