Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Weather Forecast
We are in for a prolonged dry spell due to a high pressure system. Expect temps today ranging from -18 to -5 with light to moderate N'ly winds at ridgetop. Today should be the start of inverted temps with cold temps in the shady valley bottoms and alpine reaching near zero. Tomorrow will bring even stronger temperature inversion in the Alpine.
Snowpack Summary
Cold temps are slowing the settlement of last weeks snow and causing surface facetting which is helping to keep the surface snow soft. 30-40cm of lower density snow sits on a well settled mid pack. Moderate winds have loaded the immediate lee of alpine features and creating areas of thin wind-slab.
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday there was evidence of loose, solar triggered avalanches. They were up to size 1.5 and were occurring from steep, rocky terrain exposed to the sun. On Monday, a skier accidentally triggered a size 1.5 avalanche on a W aspect at ~2200m while descending "NRC" on the Macdonald West Shoulder. There have also been glide crack releases observed.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2