Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
An increase in wind transported snow over the past 24h has created new wind slabs in the alpine.
Loose dry avalanche activity has tapered off but sluff management is still required in steep terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Limited visibility on Tuesday making it difficult to accurately report natural activity.
Small loose dry avalanches up to size one reported by public in steep terrain on Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Over 70cm of new snow has fallen over the past week. This new snow arrived with periods of moderate wind which created pockets of soft slabs in wind prone areas.
Overall, the snowpack is strong with a well consolidated mid-pack. A notable layer is down 90-120cm. This interface has been dormant for weeks, but consists of surface hoar in sheltered locations, and a sun crust on solar aspects. The snowpack's base is comprised of several early-season rain crusts.
Weather Summary
Cloudy Skies & flurries for the next few days.
Tonight Cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h. Freezing level (FZL) at valley bottom.
Wed Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Alpine high -9 °C. Wind W 10-25. FZL 800m
Thurs Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precip. Wind SW 10-25. FZL 700m.
Fri Sunny periods. No precipitation. Wind SE 15. FZL 600m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Use appropriate sluff management techniques.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Many areas of the park have been unaffected by wind but isolated pockets of wind slab exist near ridgetop and in wind affected areas. Overnight snowfall may make it difficult to asses wind slab development. Field teams have observed enough wind transport to make wind slab the primary concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5