Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Apr 3 – 4, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Sporadic flurries are expected through Monday night but the forecasted amounts are uncertain.

Watch for signs of instability throughout the day and pay attention to how the new snow is bonding to crusts on solar aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    New snow and ridge-top winds may have built storm slabs in immediate lees and areas exposed to katabatic winds.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Saturday through Sunday evening several loose dry avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the steep gullied terrain of Mt Macdonald.

Last week glide cracks were on the move, giving isolated large avalanches from steep south facing terrain. There was a size 3 just West of the park on Friday, and a few size 2.5-3.5 from Mt Tupper earlier in the week.

Snowpack Summary

15-20cm of settled snow is covering a solid crust on solar aspects and old powder on polar aspects.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong. However, the basal weakness from November can still be found near the ground in many locations. This layer will remain a concern until the end of the season.

Weather Summary

Monday overnight brings another round of flurries into Tuesday with a ridge of high pressure approaching on Wednesday.

Tonight: (trace). Alpine Low -10°C. Light ridge wind East. Freezing level(FZL) valley bottom.

Tues: Flurries (trace). High -7°C. FZL 1500m. Light NW wind.

Wed: No precip. Low -10°C, High -7°C. FZL 1400m.

Thurs: (Trace). Low -9°C, High -3°C. FZL 1800m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Regions covered