Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 14th, 2025–Jan 17th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Seek out very sheltered areas if you are looking to find soft skiing. Wind is forecast to return to Waterton on Thursday with up to 100 km/h possible. There is light snow and cooler temps on the horizon for Friday.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme SW winds have formed stiff windslabs at all elevations. Windward areas are stripped to old surfaces. The lower snowpack is well settled with no significant weak layers.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Wed

Cloudy with no precip forecast. Alpine high of -9°C with 30-40 km/h NW winds

Thur

Cloudy with no precip forecast. Wind west 70-90 km/hr. High of -3°C in the alpine.

Fri

Overcast with light flurries. Wind north 20-30 km/hr. Alpine high of -10°C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

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.