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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 13th, 2024–Mar 16th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Waterton, Waterton Lakes.

There is a significant warm up forecast for this weekend. It's likely that this will increase the reactivity of the persistent weak layer. Smaller wet loose avalanches are likely and could also trigger this layer. Continue to make conservative terrain choices!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural windslabs to size 1.5 were observed on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Earlier in the week, 20 cm of new snow and strong SW winds formed fresh windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. The Feb 3rd crust/facet persistent weak layer is buried 60-120 cm deep. Below this, the snowpack consists of a mixture of settled snow and crust/facet layers to ground. Snowpack depths between 80 - 250 cm.

Weather Summary

Thurs

A mix of sun and cloud with light westerly winds. Freezing level rising to 2100 m, alpine high of -4°C.

Fri

Sunny, light northerly winds. Alpine high of +3°C and freezing level rising to 2800 m.

Sat

Clear skies with light northeast winds. Alpine temperatures staying above 0°C with a high of +5°C. Freezing level remains around 2800 m.

For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
  • In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

This layer is likely to become more reactive with rising freezing levels this weekend.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5

Loose Wet

This is likely to become reactive with the warm temperatures from Friday onwards. Small wet loose avalanches could trigger persistent weak layers and result in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

If triggered, windslabs could step down to the deeper persistent layer and yield a large avalanche.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2