Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 13 – 16, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

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!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

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

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

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

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    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.

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.

Confidence

Moderate

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.

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