Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
There is still uncertainty with the saturated upper snowpack. Human triggered avalanches are still possible, particularly in the heat of the day.
Expect some rugged travel conditions at lower elevations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Strong solar input today triggered a small loose wet cycle from steep sunny slopes.
A rain event into the alpine caused a widespread natural avalanche cycle on Wednesday. Numerous very large wet avalanches ran down into the valley bottom. These avalanches included the deeply buried January Facets.
Since then, natural activity has slowed down but human triggering remains a concern.
Snowpack Summary
Approx 20cm of snow (at treeline and above) sits on a saturated snowpack, where 40mm of rain percolated down over 70cm. Some areas have more recent snow due to convective cells.
The March 25th rain event changed the landscape. Rain runnels are visible high into the alpine, large chunky debris in valley bottoms, and an overall loss in the height of snow.
The March 5 PWL generally consists of a crust and is down 60-120cm.
Additional PWL's from Jan/Feb are now buried 140-190cm deep
Weather Summary
Instability returns Monday, bringing mainly cloudy skies and convective flurries.
Tonight: Clear periods. Alpine low -4°C. Southwest wind 15km/hr. Freezing Level (FZL) 1100m
Mon: Mainly cloudy. Trace precip. Alpine High -1°C. SE wind 25km/hr. FZL 1900m
Tues: Mainly cloudy. Trace precip. Alpine high -3°C. FZL 1700m. Wind west 10-20km/h
Wed: Mainly cloudy. 6cm precip. Alpine high -4°C. FZL 1600m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Mainly cloudy skies are forecast for tomorrow, however convective weather is unpredictable and the sun may pop out. The snowpack is still warm and moist under the recent snowfall.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer (PWL), buried March 5th, is down 60-120cm. Depending on aspect and elevation, this layer may be suncrust, facets &/or surface hoar.
There is still some concern that wet avalanches will step down to this PWL (or lower) and entrain a significant mass of moist-wet snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 2.5 - 4