Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Jan 10th surface hoar and thin temp crusts reside under the recent storm snow. Take time to dig for weak layer distribution under the recent storm snow. Expect thin sun crust on steep solar terrain.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries producing a trace of precipitation.
An alpine temperature of -7 C accompanied by moderate SW ridge top winds.
Freezing level: 1100 metres.
Saturday calls for similar weather with freezing level dropping to 800m.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm dropped 40cm snow burying a thin crust from sun and/or rime in exposed terrain. Jan 10 surface hoar resides under the storm snow in sheltered terrain at and below treeline. The spotty Dec 26 surface hoar is down 70-90cm. The Dec 7th surface hoar/crust/facet layer is down 1.5m. Crusts with facets persist at the base of the snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Field team members remotely triggered a size 1 slab on Jan 10 surface hoar at 1900m in the west end of the park. The Lone Pine path glide crack on Mt Tupper released to ground size 3 yesterday. Wednesday's natural avalanche cycle and avalanche control produced numerous size 3 slides and even a couple size 4.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent heavy snowfall accompanied by strong S-W winds have formed widespread storm slab. The Jan 10 surface hoar layer underlies the storm slab in protected locations. We are still gathering info on the distribution of this weak layer.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5