Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Winter has returned up high.
While it doesn't feel like we've received much snow in the parking lot, a conservative mid-winter storm mindset will be required to manage the hazard as you gain elevation.
Weather Forecast
Unsettled weather through the weekend as a series of systems move through.
Today: Cloudy. Flurries (2-5cm). Alpine High -6C. Ridge wind light (gusting strong) SW. Freezing level (Fzl) 1500m.
Tonight: Isolated flurries. Low -11C. Light (strong gusts) W wind.
Sunday: Flurries (3-6cm). High -8C. Mod W wind. Fzl 1200m.
Monday: Flurries (2-4cm). Fzl 1300m.
Snowpack Summary
15-25 cm of new snow is covering a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, surface hoar on dry settled snow on polar aspects, and a moist upper snowpack at lower elevations. Moderate-strong alpine winds will increase slab characteristics in the new snow. Cornices are large and fragile, and may be triggered by the increased load from new snow and wind.
Avalanche Summary
Several glide slab avalanches were observed below treeline in the highway corridor on Friday.
A couple of loose wet snow avalanches, and one notable size 3 avalanche (in the Park One avalanche path) were triggered in the highway corridor by Thursday nights warm temps and rain.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Warm temps, fresh snow and wind are a perfect recipe for storm slab development. These will be most reactive where they overlie surface hoar, or a solid melt-freeze crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Loose Dry
Expect loose snow to run readily in steep terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Cornices
- Avoid overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and/or wind.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3