Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Dec 17 – 20, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Snow is expected for Wednesday with strong to extreme westerly winds. Hazard will increase, especially if storm totals are above forecasted (10-20 cm).

Lower elevations are thin with lots of early season hazards.

Decent skiing exists in more sheltered treeline areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Windslab continues to build in alpine and at treeline with light to moderate SW wind. New snow on Wednesday with strong to extreme W wind will build a new windslab on top of this.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches have been observed in the park, however observations have been limited.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow fell over the weekend in the western areas of the park. This came in with moderate to strong southwest winds, likely forming thin new wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. This overlies variable surfaces including crust on solar aspects and old wind affected snow. Settling unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Tues

Cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 5 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -5 °C.

Wind SW: 25-40 km/h.

Wed

Periods of snow. Up to 20 cm.

Alpine temp: High -1 °C.

Wind: SW 50 km/h gusting to 80

Thurs

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. A trace of precipitation.

Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.

Wind: SW 30-40 km/h.

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.

Regions covered