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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 4th, 2024–Dec 7th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Another big wind event is forecast for this weekend, watch for building hazard late Friday and through Saturday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 have been observed from the Akamina Parkway. These likely occurred early in the week. On Monday, explosive control at a nearby ski resort produced one wind slab up to size 1.5

Snowpack Summary

A new melt freeze crust has formed on solar slopes at all elevations with warm temps this week. This overlies old windslab and settling early season snow. Snow depth at treeline 80-120 cm. There is a basal crust 10-20cm off the ground.

Weather Summary

Thurs

Sunny with an alpine high near 0°C. Moderate to strong westerly winds.

Fri

Cloud increasing but no precip expected. Winds increasing 55 - 85 km/hr at ridgetop. Alpine high near 0°C.

Sat

Windy! Likely over 100 km/hr in the alpine. Light flurries in the afternoon, alpine temps decreasing over the day to around -3°C in the afternoon.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.