Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Pockets of wind slab may be found in the Alpine.
Cold temps and short daylight hours, give yourself extra time to move through the hard crusty conditions at lower elevations.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday will be mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. High of -6 in the alpine with an overnight low of -15. Ridge top winds will be 15-45km/hr, gradually increasing into the evening and Wednesday morning as a storm system moves into the region with 15-20cm forecasted by Wednesday afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
At tree line and below, the Dec 1 crust is buried by 5-25cm of snow. In the alpine, 20-40cm of snow has been redistributed by moderate Westerly winds and either lies on previous wind effect or icy bed surfaces from last weeks avalanche cycle. The mid and lower snowpack is rounded and well bonded. Travel conditions at lower elevations is rugged.
Avalanche Summary
Size 1.0 skier triggered soft slabs in steep, unsupported terrain where the new snow sits on the Dec 1 crust.
The Dec 1 storm produced widespread avalanches, both natural and artillery triggered, up to size 3.5, many reaching valley bottom. The frozen debris from these means travel in low elevation run-outs is rugged.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be found in exposed areas in the alpine. These overly previous wind effect or icy bed surfaces from previous avalanche activity.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small slab avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2