Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 15 – 18, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The start of the week brings a series of storms. These storms come with significant precip amounts, high temperatures, and strong to extreme winds. Careful travel and snowpack assessment will be required, as conditions vary drastically by elevation band. Below treeline rain will continue to erode the limited snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

  • Persistent Slabs

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

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wet or moist snow will be prevalent in the majority of the forecast area. Avoid steep slopes where wet avalanches can entrain surface snow and become destructive.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural slab and wet loose avalanches were observed at the end of last week with results up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

Our current storm totals in the alpine sit atop a 5-15 cm crust. Underneath is our last week's snowfall, which ranges from rain below treeline to 100 cm in the alpine. At 1700 m and above, the base of the snowpack consists of a series of crusts and facets to the ground. Below 1700 m the snowpack is moist to ground. Alpine snowpack depths are 70-150 cm; however, below treeline depths are as low as 15cm with vegetation and logs exposed.

Weather Summary

Monday

Wet snow mixed with rain, up to 17 cm. Alpine H of 3 °C. Wind gusts SW to 100 km/hr. 2500 m freezing level.

Tues

Wet snow, up to 14 cm. Alpine L of -3 °C and H of 1 °C. Wind gusts SW to 85 km/h. 2200 m freezing level.

Wed

Wet snow, up to 21 cm. Alpine L of -7 °C and H of 2 °C. Wind gusts SW to 105 km/h. 2400 m freezing level.

For current weather forecast, please see Mountain Weather Forecast

Current ECC weather table can be found Here

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered