Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Jan 7 – 8, 2022
View on map
Archived · expired 5 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map

Highlights

A natural avalanche cycle is expected Friday, and all that low density snow we've been enjoying lately is now available for entrainment. Expect avalanches to run far and fast, picking up mass as they go.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Expect loose snow avalanches in steep sheltered terrain. With lots of unsettled snow in the upper snowpack these could entrain significant mass.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3.5

    The new storm snow overlies a previous cold and facetted upper snowpack. Expect avalanche activity to peak on Friday.

Weather Forecast

A Pacific system hitting the South Coast is driving a juicy SW flow.

Tonight: Snow (15cm). Alpine Low -13*C Moderate South ridge wind.

Friday: Snow (15cm). Alpine High -5*C. Mod gusting strong S-SW wind.

Saturday: Flurries (5cm). Low -16*C, High -7*C. Strong SW wind.

Sunday: Flurries (5cm), Sunny periods in the PM. Low -7*C, High -6*C. Strong W wind.

Snowpack Summary

15cm at publishing time, with up to 45cm of fresh storm snow forecast by Friday evening. The new snow, with warming temps and strong gusty wind, will build fresh slabs quickly over the cold snow below. The Dec 1 crust (now buried 90-150cm), has not been reactive lately despite having faceted snow above and below it (especially in shallow areas).

Avalanche Summary

Moderate snowfall, warming temps and strong winds are expected to produce natural avalanche activity overnight and through out the day Friday.

No new avalanches were observed (visibility was poor) or detected on Thursday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered