Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Cool temps will set up the snowpack for fast and firm conditions at lower elevations, but good skiing can still be found on high north aspects.
Watch for pockets of wind slab as you enter your line.
Weather Forecast
Unsettled weather in the wake of Friday's cold front.
Tonight: Scattered flurries (5cm), Alpine low -10*C, Strong Westerly ridgetop wind
Saturday: Sunny periods, High -9*C, Freezing level (FZL) 1000m, Moderate W wind
Sun: Sunny periods/isolated flurries, Low -12*C, High -9*C, FZL 900m, Light NW wind
Mon: Sunny periods, Low -12*C, High -8*C, FZL 900m.
Snowpack Summary
Below treeline the spring snowpack has undergone several melt-freeze cycles.
At upper elevations a dusting of new snow (up to 10cm) overlies a crust on most aspects, except N'rly alpine slopes where it's on settled dry snow.
Persistent crust layers from late March, and the deep persistent Dec 1st crust, may awaken with very large triggers/cornices.
Avalanche Summary
Neighboring operations continue to see sporadic very large avalanches failing on persistent/deep persistent crust layers.
Glide cracks have been on the move lately, with a size 3 glide slab avalanche from a S aspect of Mt. Tupper on Friday, and another size 3 glide slab from the S side of Cheops on Wednesday.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and moderate winds have built fresh pockets of slab in alpine lees. These are burying old wind/storm slabs from earlier in the week.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The March 31 crust is down 30-70 cm, and was reactive to skier triggering locally early in the week.
The March 31st and Dec 1st crust (near the base of the snowpack) have been producing sporadic large to very large natural avalanches nearby recently.
- If triggered small avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5