Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Like the pandemic, the persistent slab is with us for the foreseeable future.
Although natural activity has dropped, snowfall and wind later today/tonight may wake up the deeper layer.
Avoid overhead hazard if/when today's storm pulse arrives.
Weather Forecast
Snow developing today/tonight, then unsettled for a couple days, then another minor storm Friday.
Today/Tonight: Snow developing around noon, 15-20cm, Alp high -7*C, light/mod SW winds at ridge top increasing later in afternoon through evening
Wed: Isolated flurries with trace amounts, mod SW winds, Alp high -8*C
Thurs: Flurries,-9*C, mod SW winds
Snowpack Summary
Southerly winds in the high alpine have built fresh slabs in immediate lees. The Nov 5th crust is now buried over 1m in most starting zones. This crust complex is over 8cm thick, and can be found up to 2500m on all aspects; with facets above and below, this is an active weak layer that will persist for a long time.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed since early Saturday morning.
Large natural avalanches to sz 3 were triggered by last weeks snowfall in the highway corridor. Several of these failed on the Nov 5th crust/facet layer.
There are several MIN reports of natural, and skier triggered avalanches that occurred during last weeks storm.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Steep planar slopes should be avoided, especially at and just above treeline.
Recent natural/human triggered avalanches, snowpack tests, and reports of whumphing indicate that this layer may still be triggered by the weight of a skier.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations which could result in large avalanches.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Moderate winds at ridge-top have created isolated wind slabs in lee features. The mass of these slabs may be enough to trigger the deeper Nov 5 persistent slab.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5