Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
A series of moisture laden systems are set to start their parade tomorrow afternoon.
There has been a lot of variability in the weather models, so be prepared for hazard to rise more than forecast if the storm arrives earlier than expected.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A field team was able to find reactive wind-slabs up to 30cm deep, propagating 10-15m and running half-way down fans. They also observed size 1 skier triggered, dry loose avalanches.
Natural avalanche activity has tapered off in the last few days. The majority of the action has been either solar triggered loose dry when the sun pops out or windslabs at ridge top in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Convective squalls have incrementally delivered up to 40-60cms of new snow in the last week. Recent moderate to strong SW'ly wind has been redistributing the storm snow.
The March 5th interface is down 50-100cm and consists of a crust &/or surface hoar.
Two persistent weak layers (PWL) of facetted snow from cold temps in Jan/Feb are now buried 120-160cm beneath the surface.
Weather Summary
Westerly flow means lots of snow! (Hopefully not rain...). A steady stream of moisture arriving Sunday through Tuesday.
Tonight Cloudy, trace precip. Alpine low -8°C. Wind SW 20-40km/hr. Freezing level (FZL) 900m.
Sun Snow 20cm. Alpine high -4°C. SW winds 35km/h. FZL 1500m.
Mon Flurries 9cm. Alpine high -3°C. SW winds 25-55km/h. FZL 1800m.
Tues Snow 37cm. Wind SW 25 gusting 55km/hr. Alpine high 2°C. FZL 2500m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong Southwest winds have built windslabs in the Alpine and at Treeline. This problem will be most reactive in lee features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer (PWL), buried March 5th, is now down 60-120cm in the snowpack. Depending on aspect and elevation, this layer may be suncrust, facets and/or surface hoar.
This layer may wake up with the incoming load of new snow and wind!
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5