Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2024 8:00AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

LG, Avalanche Canada

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Some areas of the park have up to 50cm of new storm snow. Pay close attention to how this new snow bonds to the crust below especially if the sun pops out in the next few days.

The persistent layer is still out there and will be most triggerable on north slopes that don't have the new crust.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Small dry loose point releases were observed during the storm.

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of new snow overlies a new March 21st crust. Dry snow may have still existed on steep high north slopes. The Feb 3rd crust/facet persistent weak layer is buried 60-100 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.

Weather Summary

Mon

Partially cloudy and a chance of flurries, an alpine high near -2. Winds light to moderate NW

Tues

Cloudy and convective flurries. Alpine high near zero with light to moderate NW winds

Wed

Broken skies with a chance of flurries. Alpine high near zero with moderate to strong west winds

For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches

Problems

Storm Slabs

This snow may also be triggered as a dry loose in steep sheltered areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

This layer may still be reactive on north slopes in the alpine or at treeline where a new crust does not exist. If you trigger this layer the consequence will still be very high.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Loose Wet

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2024 4:00PM