Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2024–Jan 13th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Watch out for a touchy persistent slab problem, most prevalent below treeline in steep, sheltered areas. Lots of hidden hazards exist below treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanches observed today but poor visibility. Two size 2 persistent slab avalanches triggered remotely by field team today.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 70 cm of storm snow overlies a facet and crust combo which exists in more sheltered areas. This overlies a melt freeze crust complex in the alpine and at treeline. Areas close to the divide have the best snow coverage.

Weather Summary

Thurs

Light snow with 5 - 10 cm possible, light NE winds with temperatures in the -25 to - 35°C range.

Fri

Skies clearing, light NE winds, temperature between -30 to -35°C

Sat

Clear skies, light to moderate NE winds, temperature between -30 to -35°C

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

Friday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.