Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
The most recent storm snow still needs time to settle. Be especially cautious moving into steep wind effected terrain in the alpine.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several natural avalanches were observed in the highway corridor due to a wind spike overnight into Friday. Naturals ran up to size 3 with some running running full feature.
Avalanche control at Rogers Pass on Wednesday produced storm slab avalanches to size 3.
Snowpack Summary
20cm of new snow has fallen with strong, gusty Southerly winds. This lands on a series of storm layers from the last week. Warm temps and sunny weather have created a suncrust on South and West aspects. A persistent weak layer is down 60-90cm. This interface consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, a sun crust on solar aspects. The snowpack's base is comprised of several early-season melt-freeze rain crusts.
Weather Summary
A series of storms will bring snowfall and warm temperatures to the region over the next few days.
Tonight: Snow: 7 cms , Alp low -4°C, Moderate W wind, Freezing level (FZL) 1400m
Sun: Flurries trace precip, Alp High -4°C, Moderate SW wind, FZL 1400m.
Mon: 4cm, Alp High -4°C, Moderate SW wind, FZL 1500m
Tues: 12 cm. Alp High -5°C, Strong SW winds, FZL 1400m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind overnight will create a reactive stormslab. This avalanche problem will be most reactive in windloaded lee features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2