Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Welcome back to a new avalanche season! Snowpack depths are deep enough in the alpine to produce large avalanches. Meanwhile, below treeline snow depths are thin and travel is still rugged. Ease into the season, avoid slamming into rocks, trees, etc!
Weather Forecast
Warm and no snow for the next two days, then be ready for 3-4 days of stormy weather.
Today: nil precip, Alp high of +4*C, fzl rising to 3700m, light SW winds
Mon: nil precip, mod SW winds, Alp high +3*C, fzl rising to 3900m
Tues: 15cm snow, mod SW winds, Alp high of 0*C, fzl at 1800m
Wed: 30cm snow, mod/strong SW winds, fzl near 2200mÂ
Snowpack Summary
A healthy 1.5+m snowpack in the alpine rapidly shrinks to 30-40cm at 1300m. A supportive rain crust, found up to 2200m, is ~30cm below the surface near treeline elevations. Expect to find variable wind slabs on lee alpine and treeline features, with scouring to near ground on windward slopes. Lots of rocks, trees, and open creeks below treeline.
Avalanche Summary
A major early-season cycle Thursday/Friday saw numerous avalanches off Tupper, Macdonald, and the N side of Cheops to sz 3 ripping from alpine start zones and making it to valley bottom. Cooler temps curtailed activity yesterday, but a forecasted temp spike today could see avalanche activity resume.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for dense lenses of snow as you transition off ridge-crests and onto lee slopes.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Warm temps and sun will encourage loose avalanches from steep, S'ly aspects today.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2