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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 2nd, 2024–Jan 5th, 2024

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.

Snow coverage is still minimal at lower elevations, travel cautiously if you decide to get out on skis in the backcountry.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed in the past week.

Snowpack Summary

Variable snow surfaces in the alpine and at treeline from the extreme winds since the last snowfall. This sits over older wind slabs and a basal crust in the alpine. Due to previous warm temps and rain, there is very little snow on the ground below 1800 m.

Weather Summary

Wednesday

Partly Cloudy. Wind 25-40 SW. Freezing Level rising to 1600 m

Thursday

Partly cloudy with trace snow. Wind 30 increasing to 50 from W. FL rising to 1600 m

Friday

Scattered flurries, minimal accumulation. Moderate to Strong from W winds. FL near Valley Bottom

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

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.