Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Watch for pockets of reactive slab in wind effected areas.
Weather Forecast
Scattered flurries with up to 4cm accumulation forecast for today, accompanied by Southerly winds in the 20km/h range and a 1400m freezing level. Cloudy with sunny periods and a rising freezing level to 1800m on Monday accompanied by moderate Southerly winds.
Snowpack Summary
15-25cm of low density snow overlies previous wind effect and surface facets from last weeks cold spell (this may be a reactive slab in isolated areas where it has been stiffened by the wind). The Dec 27th surface hoar/ crust layer is buried approximately 100cm. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and strong.
Avalanche Summary
A field team triggered a small (size 1) soft slab avalanche in a treeline bowl yesterday, this failed on the previous wind stiffened and facetted surface down 25cm.
A skier triggered small (size 1.5) soft slab avalanche on Avalanche Crest (W aspect at treeline).
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent new snow overlies wind stiffened and facetted surfaces, and may be a reactive slab in isolated areas where the wind has stiffened the surface.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The December 27th surface hoar/crust layer persists down approximately 100cm. This layer is becoming less reactive in stability tests and it is increasingly harder to find in snow profiles, but the potential is still there to get surprised.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 3