Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 21st, 2021–Mar 22nd, 2021
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

A cold front will bring snow to Glacier Park today and tonight.  A transient upper ridge will bring drier conditions by Tuesday

Today:  Cloudy with flurries, 4cm. Fzl 1400m. Wind SW 20 gusting to 45 km/h

Tonight: Flurries, 7cm. Fzl 800m. Wind SW 15 gusts to 50 km/h

Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Fzl 1200m. Wind NW 15-30 km/h

Snowpack Summary

25-35 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. Cornices are large and fragile, be sure to maintain good travel habits and give them a wide berth.

Avalanche Summary

A few large slab avalanches occurred from the steep north paths off Mt. Macdonald yesterday. The glide crack on lower Avalanche Crest 4 also released. Several glide slab avalanches were observed below treeline in the highway corridor on Friday during the strong solar input.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

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.

  • Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.
  • Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

Expect loose snow to run readily in steep terrain that is sheltered from the wind in the alpine and treeline. The new snow seems to be bonding better below 1800m, but upper elevations of BTL may still have fast running new snow over a crust.

  • 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