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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2025–Feb 17th, 2025

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

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Snowfall amounts through the weekend are uncertain with some optimistic reports calling for an additional 20 cm. If total storm snow amounts reach 25 cm or more at the Akamina Pass weather station, expect larger dry loose avalanches to occur at all elevations. Despite cooler temps the ski quality will be quite good in all areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Few natural windslabs up to size 2, and a notable skier triggered size 1 dry loose that ran to ground on facets (see photo).

Snowpack Summary

10cm unconsolidated storm snow over windslabs 20-40cm deep. This overlies the January drought layer which includes facetted snow on northerly aspects or a melt freeze crust below treeline and on steep solar slopes into the alpine. Generally, the snowpack has become weak and facetted.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 100 - 150 cm.

Weather Summary

More snow is on tap for the weekend. Optimistic forecasts are calling for an additional 20 cm by Monday.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.