Waterton Lakes

Travel may be difficult due to the lack of snow at lower elevations and slushy, unsupportive snow at all elevations. Continue to use caution on steep slopes as slushy snow could possibly be triggered until the snowpack refreezes.

Numerous avalanches were observed from this week's warming including wet loose, persistent slab, and deep persistent slab avalanches to size 2.5.

In the alpine, moist snow sits on the surface with a capping melt freeze crust. Treeline and below, moist to wet snow exists down to weak layers and even ground in thin areas. All moist snow will start to refreeze through the forecast period. The Dec 23 melt freeze crust and facets are down 30-80 cm. An early season basal crust complex exists in most places in the alpine and at treeline. Significantly less snow in the eastern areas of the park. Snowpack depths between 30 - 150 cm.

Thurs

Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high of 5, freezing level above ridgetop. Wind SW 30-40 kph. No precipitation.

Fri

Mainly cloudy. Alpine high of 3. Freezing level 2400 m lowering to 2000 m. Wind SW 20-30 kph. Minimal precipitation.

Sat

Freezing level 1700 m with alpine high of -3. Wind moderate northerly. 10-15 cm precipitation.

For more info see: Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.