Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
A skiff of snow and moderate winds have freshened up the slopes, but also created thin wind slabs reactive to human triggering.
With temperatures remaining cool, be sure to pack extra warm clothing, hot drinks, and gear that would be useful if one's day gets sidetracked by an incident.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Explosives testing on round hill ridge on Tuesday produced Size 1.5 Wind slabs averaging 10cm deep.
A persistent slab avalanche was reported by a third party in the Kors-Thomas bowl of Avalanche Mountain on Sunday. No details of the event are available but it appears to have been skier triggered.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate SW winds created thin, reactive surface wind slabs. Sheltered areas have ~15cm of cold, faceted snow atop a denser, wind-pressed layer. Below this lies a weak interface (Jan 7th layer) down 30-60cm, comprised of surface hoar (all aspects) and or a thin crust on steep S aspects.
In the start zone of Mt Fidelity, moderate "resistant" & "sudden planar" snowpack test results were found on the Jan 7 layer.
Weather Summary
A minor blip of snow Thurs, then a continuation of clear/cool/calm
Tonight Cloudy periods. Ridge wind NW 20 km/h. Alp low -11C°. Freezing level (FZL) at valley bottom.
Thurs Mainly cloudy, isolated flurries. Trace to 5cm. Alpine high -8C°. Ridge wind W 20 gusting 45km/h. FZL 500m.
Fri Mix of sun & cloud. Alp high -12C°. Ridge wind NW 15-25km/h.
Sat Mix of sun & cloud. Alp high -11C°. Ridge wind NW 10-20km/h. FZL 500m
FridayTerrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds have varied in direction so be on the lookout for reverse loading. Fresh wind slabs are thin but they may be enough to trigger the persistent slab hiding 30-60 cm deep.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2