Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 21 – 24, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Warm days ahead, new snow will heat up and slide easily on the crust below.

Forecast hazard is for peak warming!

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches to size 2 and ski cuts to size 1.5 were observed during a field day this week.

Last week numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed from steep terrain and on all aspects. Large debris piles can still be seen.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and high treeline, 10-20 cm of snow sits over a melt freeze crust complex from last weeks warming events. The January melt freeze crust is buried up to 100cm. Alpine and Treeline midpack is well settled and overlies basal facets and depth hoar. Most places the snowpack is now moist to ground.

Weather Summary

Saturday-Monday

Temps will begin to rise over the next three days, with alpine highs reaching +8 by Sunday. Some clear periods are expected but skies will be mostly broken. Precip should taper off by Saturday afternoon and winds will increase to moderate SW by Monday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.

Regions covered