Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 27 – 30, 2023Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 4 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

Winter Returns!! Snow is expected on Friday through the day followed by a few days of cold temperatures.

There will be good skiing to be had, but uncertainty lies with how well the new snow will bond to the old crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Old windslabs from Thursday's wind event will be buried by new storm snow. As the load created by the new snow increases windslabs may be easier to trigger.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    This problem will build through the day on Friday as the snow falls. Be aware that small storm slabs may step down and trigger the buried windslab as well.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed this week.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of windslab overlies Mid January Crust and Christmas Crust which both exists to 2400m. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar especially in thin areas. Below treeline the crusts are consolidated and overlie facests and depth hoar to ground.

Weather Summary

Friday

Overcast with snow all day. Precip amounts 20-30cm. Temps will hover around -5 in the alpine. Moderate N'erly winds.

Saturday

Broken skies with moderate NE winds. Temps will fall to -26 during the day. No significant precip.

Sunday

Broken skies with moderate NE winds. Temps remain near -26 during the day. No significant precip.

Regions covered