Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Another snowfall is forecast for Friday, with more coming on the weekend as well.
Improving ski quality will also mean increasing avalanche hazard, time to dust the cobwebs off those safe travel habits...
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, a size 1.5 slab was observed from just lookers left of the Grizzly couloir.
There were a few small slab avalanches in the steep terrain on the east side of Rogers Pass overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Incoming snow will bury fresh storm slabs in steep smooth terrain.
Fridays snow is not expected to overload the weak November 17th layer of surface hoar (5-30mm), facets, and suncrust. This buried surface hoar is largest at and below treeline, and will likely become a persistent avalanche problem as it gets more deeply buried over the weekend.
The early season snowpack is thin and variable, with an average depth of 60cm below treeline, 90cm at treeline, and up to 120cm in the alpine. These values are below threshold for burying hazards, covering creeks, and bridging crevasses.
Weather Summary
More snow begins early Friday, with midday pulses of moderate snowfall and strong alpine winds. Up to 20cm of snow is forecast to fall by the end of the day.
Snowfall continues through the weekend. With an additional 15-25cm of accumulation on Saturday/Sunday.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Incoming new snow will build fresh storm slabs over windpressed snow in exposed terrain, and settled powder in sheltered areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5