Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Apr 2 – 3, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The hazard could be higher than expected if more snow falls than forecasted. Continually assess conditions and use safe travel habits.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Expect loose snow avalanches in steep terrain - these could gain sufficient mass to take you for a ride in confined terrain such as gullies.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    New snow and wind will build fresh thin slabs in open terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Sunday, no new avalanches were observed.

Saturday, several naturally triggered loose dry avalanches from the gullies on Mt. Macdonald.

Glide cracks have been on the move recently, giving isolated large avalanches this week from steep south facing terrain. There was a size 3 just West of the park on Friday, and a few size 2.5-3.5 from Mt Tupper earlier in the week.

Snowpack Summary

New snow (5-15cm at time of writing) is covering a solid crust on solar aspects, and 5-10cm of settled old powder on polar aspects.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong. However, the basal weakness of rounding facets/decomposing crust can be found near the ground in many locations, and will remain worthy of consideration until the end of the season.

Weather Summary

An unstable airmass will provide ongoing convective flurries into next week.

Tonight: Flurries (trace). Alpine Low -11°C. Light ridge wind East. Freezing level(FZL) valley bottom.

Mon: Flurries (5cm). High -7°C. FZL 1400m. Light N wind.

Tues: Flurries (trace). Low -11°C, High -7°C. FZL 1300m.

Wed: No precip. Low -9°C, High -6°C. FZL 1500m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Regions covered