Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Jan 20 – 23, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

With an increase in both wind and temperature Friday night and into Saturday, new windslabs will form in the alpine and at treeline. Use cautious route finding while these new slabs bond to old surfaces.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    This layer is likely most reactive in steep sheltered places below treeline.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Several dry loose natural avalanches up to size 2 were observed in steep alpine features on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

20cm storm snow is being redistributed by moderate to strong SW winds. This new windslab overlies older windslabs 30 - 40 cm deep. Jan 7th facets and Dec 23rd crust are down 40-100 cm. Early season basal crust complex exists most places in the alpine and at treeline. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 170 cm.

Weather Summary

Sat

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precip with M-S SW winds. FL 1700m

Sun

Cloudy with scattered flurries. Light snow amounts 5cm moderate SW winds. FL 1600m

Mon

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precip with moderate SW winds. FL 1600m

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Regions covered