Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

Skier triggered sz 3 in Lone Pine Monday, ran ~1000m and accumulated significant mass.

Several natural avalanches to sz 2.5 were observed Monday afternoon, triggered by solar input on S through W slopes.

There have been several reports of rider triggered avalanches up to size 1 in terrain adjacent to Glacier National Park.

A complex upper snowpack will be increasingly challenging to manage with incoming wind and snow.

New snow will cover facetted snow or pockets of windslab in exposed areas. 30-40cm down, there is a weak interface (Jan 7th layer) of surface hoar into the high alpine, and a thin crust on steep S aspects. As the surface stiffens into a slab, expect increasingly large avalanches on this Jan 7th layer.

Overall the mid and lower snowpack is strong and well settled.

A brief pulse of snow and strong wind Thursday, followed by plummeting temps.

Tonight Clear periods. Alpine low -6°C. Moderate SW ridgetop winds.

Thurs Flurries, up to 10cm. Alp high -6°C. Gusty strong-extreme West wind.

Fri Sun/cloud/isolated flurries. Alp low -16°C, high -11°C. Moderate gusty North wind.

Sat Mixed sun and cloud. Alp low -20°C, high -15°C. Light N wind.

• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.