Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Yesterday's storm slab is today's wind slab.
New snow, warming temperatures and increasing winds will promote slab formation. Use caution entering wind affected terrain.
Weather Forecast
To shred or not to shred?... is that even a question!?
Another 5-10cm by Sunday morning and a mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries for the day. A warm front is moving into the region bringing increasing temperatures with an alpine high of -4 and 25-50km/hr South winds. Expect sunny skies on Monday and the 'return of the snow' by Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
60cm of recent low density snow with 25-50km/hr SW winds is forming new wind slabs. The warming temps will promote settlement of the low density snow. The Dec 1 crust (now buried up to 2m deep) remains dormant, despite having faceted snow above and below it. The mid-lower snowpack is settled and strong.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural and artillery controlled avalanche cycle occurred Friday. Avalanches up to size 3 were reaching the valley bottom.
A lower elevation (1450m start zone) storm slab avalanche ran size 3 on Friday in Mt Revelstoke park and buried the, already closed, Trans-Canada highway. This occurred in an infrequently active avalanche path.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slab is being built in the alpine and down into tree line. 60cm of low density snow is available for transport by the 25-40km/hr SouthWest winds. Watch for shooting cracks and hollow drum sounds as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Loose Dry
This may become more of a problem if the sun is allowed to shine for a prolonged period, triggering dry loose avalanches from steep, rocky, solar facing terrain. It remains a problem in steep, sheltered terrain features.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2