Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 20 – 23, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Good riding to be had on sheltered slopes. Exposed areas are wind affected and wind slabs may be triggerable.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Continued winds may add to this problem.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A layer of 5-10 cm of facets lies above the Feb 3 crust. There is high uncertainty with this problem but neighbouring areas have triggered this with explosives.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several natural wind slab avalanches to size 2 were observed in the alpine on Sunday. A nearby ski hill triggered a size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a facet crust layer on Saturday with explosives.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate westerly winds have built windslabs in the alpine and at treeline in exposed areas. 30-40 cm of unconsolidated snow exists in sheltered slopes. This overlies older windslabs and faceted snow above the Feb 3rd crust. Below this, the snowpack is settled with a crust/facet complex near the ground. Average snowpack depths are between 100 - 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

A mix of sun and cloud with flurries. 2 cm of snow. Wind SW 50 kph. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Wed

A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries. Minimal accumulation. Wind W 30-40 kph. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Thurs

Mainly cloudy, no significant precip expected. Freezing level valley bottom. Alpine high -7°C. Winds moderate W.

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Regions covered