Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 22 – 25, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

The Feb 03 Crust/Facet combo now seems to have enough load to be triggerable. Make careful observations on the existence and character of this layer before committing to steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Continued strong winds and flurries will add to windslabs above the Feb 03 crust/facet combo.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural slab avalanches to size 2 were observed on a field day in Rowe Meadows on Tuesday. Suspect these avalanches are failing on the Feb 03 Crust/Facet combo. Several small wet loose avalanches were observed on steep features below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate westerly winds have built windslabs in the alpine and at treeline in exposed areas. 30-40 cm of settled snow exists in sheltered slopes. A new suncrust has formed on the snow surface on steep solar slopes. This overlies older windslabs and faceted snow above the Feb 3rd crust. The lower snowpack is settled with a crust/facet complex to ground. Average snowpack depths are between 100 - 150 cm.

Weather Summary

Thurs

Cloudy with light flurries, alpine high of -3°C. Winds moderate to strong from the SW.

Friday

Cloudy with minimal precip expected. Alpine high -3°C with moderate to strong SW winds

Saturday

Overcast with light flurries, alpine high of -3°C. Winds moderate to strong from the SW.

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.

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