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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 16th, 2024–Dec 19th, 2024

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Snow is expected for Wednesday with strong to extreme westerly winds. Hazard will increase, especially if storm totals are above forecasted (10-20 cm).

Lower elevations are thin with lots of early season hazards.

Decent skiing exists in more sheltered treeline areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches have been observed in the park, however observations have been limited.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow fell over the weekend in the western areas of the park. This came in with moderate to strong southwest winds, likely forming thin new wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. This overlies variable surfaces including crust on solar aspects and old wind affected snow. Settling unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 5 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -5 °C.

Wind SW: 25-40 km/h.

Wed

Periods of snow. Up to 20 cm.

Alpine temp: High -1 °C.

Wind: SW 50 km/h gusting to 80

Thurs

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. A trace of precipitation.

Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.

Wind: SW 30-40 km/h.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

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.