Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Heads up for stiff wind slabs and variable skiing.
Extreme southerlies have changed the landscape in the alpine and exposed treeline.
Weather Forecast
An area of low pressure off the coast will bring flurries to Rogers Pass Monday and Tuesday.
Tonight: Trace of snow. Winds S - 25km/h. Freezing levels dropping to valley bottom.
Monday: 4cm. Winds SE - 25-45km/h. Freezing level 900m
Tuesday: 8cm. Winds SE - 30-45km/h. Freezing level 1200m.
Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for more details.
Snowpack Summary
35cm of low density snow in the past 2 days, totaling 85cm of storm snow this week. Extreme south winds created fresh slabs in exposed terrain features, further down into the path than you might expect. The Dec 1 crust is ~15cm thick at 1900m, buried by ~90cm and found up to 2300m. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded and strong.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed today, however the blowing snow made for poor visibility
A natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 occurred Saturday with the new snow and strong winds. Cheops N1 ran size 2.0 and dusted the skin track in the Connaught Drainage.
Many reports of size 1-2 skier triggered slab avalanches in steep terrain and on convex rolls
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
35cm of new snow over the past 2 days was redistributed by extreme winds (up to 140km/h at Macondald West Shoulder weather station yesterday!). These extreme wind events may create slabs where you wouldn't normally expect them.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
There is 50-90cm on the Dec 1st crust, which is beginning to gain enough cohesion to fail as a slab where the interface bond is weak. It is mainly an issue at treeline and below, but extends into the lower alpine region.
- Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3