Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 29 – Apr 1, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Watch for changing conditions through different aspects and elevations with both the sun and wind this weekend. Windslabs will be most likely near ridgecrests and the new snow will slide easily on solar slopes once the sun comes out.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Watch for new windslabs later in the weekend as the winds pick up. Variable wind direction may form windslabs on all aspects.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    The recent 10 cm of new snow will slide easily on the crust underneath once the sun comes out this weekend.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow covers sun crusts on solar aspects and consolidated dry snow on polar aspects. Below this the March 21st crust exists everywhere except for polar aspects above ~2000 m. The Feb 3rd crust/facet weak layer is buried 60-120 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

Sat

Mix of sun and cloud with light SW winds. Alpine high of -3°C.

Sun

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, no significant accumulation. Alpine high of -3°C and light to moderate northwest winds.

Mon

Mostly sunny, moderate to strong westerly winds. Alpine high of +2°C.

For more info: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Regions covered