Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 27 – 30, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Another big warm-up is on the way. Expect hazard to increase through the weekend as freezing levels rise. Persistent layers may become more reactive with warm temps.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Be aware windslabs might step down to deeper layers

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    This layer is likely out of the ski triggerable range, however could be initiated as a part of a step down avalanche.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Likely to become reactive later in the weekend as the freezing level continues to rise.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several large avalanches were observed from last weeks wind event, some failing to persistent layers. No new avalanches observed in the last 72 hours.

Snowpack Summary

Small wind slabs forming in the alpine with strong SW winds. Below 2000m a new crust exists from last weeks warms temps. The Dec 23 melt freeze crust and facets are down 40-100 cm. An early season basal crust complex exists in most places in the alpine and at treeline. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 170 cm.

Weather Summary

Sat

Partly cloudy with scattered flurries. Freezing levels will rise to 2300m. Ridgetop winds will be strong to extreme SW

Sun

Partly cloudy with scattered flurries and rain showers. Freezing levels to 2500m with extreme SW winds.

Mon

Partly cloudy with freezing levels rising to 3600 m, strong SW winds.

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Regions covered