Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 31, 2024 – Jan 3, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Highlights

With light snow over the last couple days skiing is improving, keep your eye out for small thin windslabs in lee areas. Hazard may be higher then predicted if snowfall exceeds forecasted amounts.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    20-30 km W wind this week may form windslabs with new unconsolidated snow. Older windslabs in the alpine and at treeline may still be triggerable by riders, by their sensitivity is decreasing with cooler temps.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Steep features with a hard bed surface may yield small dry loose avalanches triggerable by riders.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed however minimal field work.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15-20 cm of new snow has fallen from Sat-Mon. It overlies older hard windslabs in the alpine and treeline and a thin melt freeze crust below treeline.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Wind W 20-30 km/hr with an alpine high of -9°C.

Wed

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Wind SW 10-20 km/hr with an alpine high of -10°C.

Thurs

Cloudy with sunny periods. Isolated flurries. Wind W 20-30 km/hr with an alpine high of -9°C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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