Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Another wave of snow and wind late this afternoon will once again overload an already stressed snowpack. If you choose to tip-toe out skiing this morning, make sure you have an exit route that avoids exposure to any overhead hazard.
Weather Forecast
An active cold front will bring increasing winds and snowfall later this afternoon.
Today: Afternoon snowfall (6 cm). Treeline High -8 C. Ridge wind Mod-Extreme SW. Freezing level 800 m.
Tonight: Cloudy with flurries (4 cm). Treeline temps: Low -14 C. Ridge wind Mod-extreme SW. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme South winds have build reactive slabs well down into the slope in lee terrain. Several weaknesses can be found within the 65-90cm of storm snow above the persistent Dec 27th layer. The mid and lower snowpack has been gaining strength, but a few deep avalanches recently indicate early season weaknesses may be getting overloaded.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous avalanches up to size 3.5 in the highway corridor were triggered both naturally and by artillery yesterday.
Confidence
Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Moderate-Extreme SW winds have built fresh slabs in unusual places. Approach all open terrain with caution. Large paths have the potential to run to valley bottom.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Storm slabs have the potential to step down to the December 27th SH. Which is now buried up to 1m deep.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5