This bulletin was produced using limited data streams, and significant variations in snowpack structure are likely to exist. If you've been traveling in the backcountry, we'd love to hear from you. Observations can be sent to forecaster@avalanche.ca.
Summary
Confidence
Poor - Due to variable snowpack conditions
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: No snow. Moderate E winds. Freezing level near 1200 m, dropping to 200 m overnight.Wednesday: Light snow. Light W winds. Freezing level near 1500 m, dropping to 1100 m overnight.Thursday: Light snow. Light W winds. Freezing level near 1700 m, dropping to 1100 m overnight.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, a naturally triggered size 2.5 slab failed on a buried crust. Numerous small loose dry avalanches were also observed. In neighbouring Glacier National Park, skiers triggered a size 3 slab on a buried crust on an east aspect in the alpine on Monday. The slab above this interface may be reaching tipping point with incremental loading from snow and wind.
Snowpack Summary
Around 40 cm recent storm snow has been shifted by variable winds into wind slabs at treeline and above. In some areas, a trace of new snow overlies a refrozen surface on southerly aspects and below 2000 m on northerly aspects. A weak interface in the upper metre of the snowpack consists of a crust on solar aspects, and surface hoar on high-elevation northerly aspects. Recent activity in Glacier National Park and the North Columbia regions demonstrates that this interface has the potential for surprisingly large avalanches. Cornices in the region are potentially destructive. Periods of warming or solar radiation may increase the reactivity of cornices and storm slabs.
pgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
