Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 1 – 4, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Windslabs have developed in lee features after this week's extreme wind. Snowfall amounts are uncertain for Thursday night's incoming precip, if snow exceeds 20cm the hazard will increase.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Strong to extreme winds have built windslab deep in lees.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1-2 natural windslab avalanches were observed in treeline lees over the last four days.

Snowpack Summary

Extreme winds have stripped most alpine features and redistributed snow deep into lees. Firm windslabs are most prevalent at treeline. The January melt freeze crust is now buried 50-100cm. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar. Below treeline, the Jan Crust overlies facets and depth hoar to ground.

Weather Summary

Wed

Cloudy with up to 10cm of snow throughout the day. Light west winds and an alpine high of -10.

Thur

A break in the clouds, with West winds picking up to strong as the day progresses. Alpine high of -12.

Fri

Cloudy with the potential for up to 10cm of snow. Strong winds from the west continue, with temperatures staying in the -12 to -15 range.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.

Regions covered