Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 8 – 11, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 months ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent snowfall accompanied by strong to extreme winds have formed new wind slabs at all elevations. Wind slabs can remain sensitive long after snowfall, use caution in wind effected terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to difficult to forecast freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

Both loose dry and wind slab avalanches have been observed over the past few days to size 2.5.

Snowpack Summary

Our last storm brought up to 60 cm of snow, which has been transported by strong winds.

The mid pack consists of settled snow, with the late December crust down 65-90 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is refrozen rain effected layers, which are still moist at ground in places.

Weather Summary

Thursday

Isolated flurries. Low of -11 °C, High of -10 °C. Wind occasionally gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. Low of -12 °C, High of -6 °C. W winds gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Low of -7 °C, High of -2 °C. SW winds gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at 1800 m.

Current weather forecast: Mountain Weather Forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered