Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Ghost.
The Dry ghost is anything but right now. If you are planning to try to get into this region, be sure to equip yourselves with avalanche safety gear and carefully consider the route you are on and overhead hazard.
A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect. Click the link for details.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Minimal observations in this areas specific to climbing. Please post what you are seeing to the MIN.
Not in this area but there was a late day report to the forecasting office of a sz 3.5 skier remote from 75m away near purple knob. This avalanche ran full path and on basal facets.
Snowpack Summary
50-80cm of recent snow and Moderate and variable winds have created extensive windslabs in the Ghost region. In many areas this new snow is overlying rocks but where this new snow is overlying previous snow there will also be a persistent slab problem. Winds in this region quickly builds new windslabs and areas that commonly have no avalanche danger can pose significant risk.
Weather Summary
Light snow will continue in the Ghost region overnight with winds becomming more north easterly in the evening and on Saturday. Temperatures will drop to -15C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
- Winter conditions may exist in gullies, alpine bowls, and around ridgelines.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs and storm slabs will be common in the region. Be careful in gullied features as well as in unsupported terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely - Certain
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
Where the new snow is overlying the previous snow surface including the Feb crust expect the bond to be poor. Windslans will likely step down to this interface.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
Loose dry off cliff walls and ice can quickly accumulate and become a problem for climbers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2