Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 30th, 2013 9:23AM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSummary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Thursday: The Northwest flow is expected to continue to push the cold arctic air to the East. Northwest winds moderate overnight becoming strong during the day. No precipitation is expected tonight, and light snow falls of 1-2 cms are expected on Thursday. Alpine temperatures gradually warming on Thursday and freezing levels rising to about 1200 metres.Friday: No precipitation is expected as a high pressure system in the South influences most of the interior mountain ranges. Expect clear skies or high overcast in the alpine and valley cloud. Freezing level at about 1300 metres.Saturday: High pressure should continue to influence. No precipitation expected, and freezing level at about 1200 metres.
Avalanche Summary
Some loose snow sluffing from steep terrain. Natural wind slabs up to size 2.5 were running full path on the East side of Glacier National Park in the highway corridor.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow amounts over the past few days are 30 to 40 cm with as much as 60cm reported. Over the weekend, this low density storm snow started to settle into more of a cohesive slab, although little activity was reported through the weekend. Below the new snow is a suncrust on steep southerly facing slopes and a surface hoar layer at treeline and lower elevations (but it has a patchy distribution). Early January surface hoar is now around 60 - 80 cm deep and is reported to be patchy. It is most likely to be preserved on shady slopes below treeline.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong winds are expected to continue to develop fresh new wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline in the lee of terrain features.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 31st, 2013 2:00PM