Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Hello winter, welcome back!
Public Avalanche Bulletins will begin Nov 12 for Glacier National Park, published daily at 4pm.
Weather Forecast
For the next couple of days, expect flurries and mixed weather with fluctuating freezing levels rising to 1600m and dropping to valley floor. A brief respite Wed/Thurs will see clearing before another system arrives Friday.
Snowpack Summary
A widespread rain crust that extends high into the alpine is buried by approx 30-50cm of snow, even deeper in alpine lee features. The new snow has formed surface slabs in wind-affected areas. At all elevations, many rocks, trees, and hidden objects are poking out of the shallow snowpack. Ski/ride conservatively at this time of year!
Avalanche Summary
A group remotely triggered a sz 1.5 surface slab, likely sliding on the rain crust, on the entrance into Cheops N6 (Nikki's Notch) on Nov 7.
Several natural avalanches to sz 2.5 were noted in the Macdonald gullies over the last 48hrs.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and SW winds have formed pockets of surface slabs in lee alpine and tree-line features. These surface slabs rest on a widespread rain crust that extends high into the alpine. Very limited observations have been made thus far in the season.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
- Early season hazards such as rocks, trees and stumps are still visible.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5