Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Storm slabs will continue to build throughout the day, limit your exposure until the storm has passed and the new snow has had time to bond.
Confidence
Moderate
Snowpack Summary
30-50cms of recent storm snow sits on a sun crust on solar aspects; firm wind effect in the alpine; and soft facetted snow on sheltered N aspects.
Below 2100m there is a crust down 50-60cm (from Dec 5th/6th).
The Dec 1 surface hoar (decomposing) is down 60-100cm and has seen isolated deep pockets "pop" out in steeper, alpine terrain.
Record low snowpack for the Park.
Weather Summary
Winter has turned on again with another low pressure system arriving from the pacific with increased winds and snowfall before we enter the deep freeze later in the week with artic air pushing south across the province.
Tonight: 13cm, strong S winds, low -12 °C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Tues: 9cm, strong W winds, low -12 °C, FZL 800m
Wed: 4cm, light W winds, low -22 °C
Thurs: Calm and cold, high -22 °C, low -32 °C
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- If triggered, storm slabs in-motion may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.
- Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Up to 25cm of new snow has added to the storm slab formed over the weekend bringing slab depths to around 50cm in sheltered terrain and will be deeper in wind loaded features. These slabs will be most reactive where they lie over old sugary snow or a crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Loose Dry
New snow will be easily initiated in steep terrain and even small sluffs may gather surprising mass; enough to push you off your intended line. Consider your exposure to terrain traps below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2