Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
A wind ravaged snow surface may still hold pockets of reactive slab. Be aware of new slabs building and cornices becoming overloaded if the forecast storm comes in early
Weather Forecast
A cold front is due to pass through Saturday night
Sat: trace snow with light SW wind gusting to 50. Freezing level 1900m. High -2
Sat night: 15cm snow with moderate SW wind gusting to 65. Freezing level 1000m
Sun: No precipitation, light W wind. Freezing level 1400m. High -7
Mon: No precipitation, light W wind. Freezing level 1700m. High -5
Snowpack Summary
Up to a meter of snow last week has settled significantly over the March 18 suncrust and surface hoar. At treeline and above windward and lee features have a 15cm variable hard wind packed layer on the surface. Meltfreeze conditions below treeline, solar meltfreeze to mountaintop. Cornices are huge.
Avalanche Summary
The infrasound network detected 2 large events this morning. A natural size 3 avalanche released from a south aspect in the Purcells on Thursday, this likely failed on the March 18th crust.
A group of skiers accidentally triggered a size 3 in the Teddy Bear Trees on Tuesday, this slab avalanche failed on the March 18th melt-freeze crust.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slab in lee and crossloaded features may still be reactive to human triggering
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2