Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Assess, assess, assess!
Expect reactive slabs!
Extreme south winds have created a variable upper snowpack.
Weather Forecast
A brief lull in the active weather pattern today before tomorrow's significant storm.
Today: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing level 800m. Winds light from the SW gusting moderate
Tonight: Trace of precip. Winds light- SW. Freezing level 500m
Tomorrow: Up to 40cm of precip, Freezing levels to 1400m. Winds gusting strong from the SW
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme S winds may have built reactive slabs well down into the slope in lee terrain. Several weaknesses can be found within the 65-90cm of storm snow above the persistent Dec 27th layer. The mid and lower snowpack have been gaining strength, but a few deep avalanches recently indicate early season weaknesses may be getting overloaded.
Avalanche Summary
The natural cycle is slowing, however the human triggered avalanches remain likely. Numerous avalanches up to size 3.5 in the highway corridor were triggered both naturally and by artillery on Saturday.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Moderate-Extreme S'ly winds have built fresh slabs in unusual places (ie further downslope from ridge). Expect freshly buried slabs- approach all open terrain with caution. Large paths have the potential to run to valley bottom.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Storm slabs have the potential to step down to the December 27th SH, which is now buried up to 1m deep.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5