Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
The tracks and runouts of avalanche paths are filled in and smooth, even relatively small avalanches could run fast and far.
Avoid overhead exposure during the peak of the storm on Saturday.
Weather Forecast
A cold front pushing down from the NW will give moderate to heavy snowfall and strong Westerly winds Saturday.
Tonight: Flurries (5cm). Alpine Low -7*C. Moderate SW ridgetop winds.
Saturday: Snow (15cm). High -6*C. Strong W wind.
Sunday: Flurries (10cm). Low -15*C, High -8*C. Light NW wind.
Monday: Sunny periods. Low -25*C, High -18*C. Light E wind.
Snowpack Summary
Ongoing Strong S-SW winds and snowfall (up to 30 cm so far this week, and ~20 cm more coming Saturday) is building fresh reactive storm slabs.
The new snow sits over; small surface hoar in sheltered terrain below treeline; wind effect in the Alpine; and a crust on solar slopes into the alpine.
The Jan 29 SH layer, buried 60-120cm, is rounding.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, a field team triggered a size 1 storm slab on an steep slope at treeline, and there was one size 3.0 natural avalanche from a South facing path in the W end of the Park (Gunners 2)
On Thursday field teams triggered 2 size 1 slabs on a North aspect at treeline, and there was one size 3.0 on a S aspect in the HWY corridor.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs will continue to build through out the day on Saturday with strong winds and moderate snowfall.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
- Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Loose Dry
Expect loose dry avalanches in steep sheltered terrain.
- Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5