Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 13 – 16, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Windslabs will get buried by new snow in the next couple days, use caution in exposed areas. Thin conditions still exist near valley bottom watch for stumps and rocks.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windslabs that formed this week are being buried by new storm snow which may make them more sensitive to trigger.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new naturals observed however, a size 3 windslab result was reported with explosives from a nearby ski hill.

Snowpack Summary

30 cm of unconsolidated snow has been redistributed into windslabs in exposed areas. A recently buried thin crust exists on solar aspects. This overlies a thick melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations. Below this, the snowpack is moist to ground at treeline and below, now slowly refreezing. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Overnight - snow heavy at times between 10-15 cm

Continued flurries up to 5 cm are possible under overcast skies. Alpine high of -10°C with light NE wind.

Wed

Partially cloudy with no significant precip. Alpine high -15°C with light NE winds

Thurs

Light flurries up to 5 cm possible with overcast skies. Alpine high of -20°C with moderate east winds.

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Regions covered