Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
A small injury can become a big problem with these frigid temperatures.
Be prepared with extra layers and calories in your pack!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity has eased, however human triggering remains possible.
Neighboring operations are reporting rider & remote triggered avalanches on the Jan 30th layer.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate southerly winds yesterday refreshed the windslab in the alpine. Variable winds this past week had caused widespread wind effect, which is starting to facet out (become soft and sugary)
A weak layer of surface hoar, facets and/or suncrust (Jan 30th drought layer) is 30-50cm down from the snow surface.
The Jan 7th layer is down 50-80cm, and is comprised of surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects.
The basal snowpack is dense and strong.
Weather Summary
The arctic ridge is firmly planted. Mainly sunny skies and cold temperatures are forecast into the foreseeable future.
Tonight Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine low -22°C. Ridge wind NE 15-25km/hr.
Mon Sunny. Alpine high -18°C. Light N winds.
Tues Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -17°C. NW wind 10-20km/h.
Wed Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -17°C. Wind NW 10-20km/hr.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
20-40cms of snow overlays a buried weak layer. This weak layer is consists of surface hoar, facets and/ or a suncrust. It will be most reactive where there is a settled, cohesive slab over top.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
A fresh windslab formed yesterday in the alpine due to moderate southerly winds. Use caution in wind affected terrain and be aware that a surface slab could step down to the Jan 30th persistent weak layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2