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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 18th, 2024–Nov 19th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

Reactive wind slabs can be found on lee and cross-loaded features at Treeline and above.

With limited early season options to ride, overcrowding is an issue. Avoid putting yourself below other groups, and if you are above a party, communicate with them and avoid dumping an avalanche on top of them.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle to size 2 was observed in Glacier NP on Sunday. Storm slab crowns, 10-25cm deep, were evident on lee or crossloaded features above 1900m on most aspects. Gusting winds transporting the new snow were the likely trigger of this event.

Several human-triggered avalanches to sz 1.5 in the Connaught drainage were reported over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

50cms of snow fell over the weekend. On solar aspects, this new snow sits on a rain crust up to 2300m and a suncrust at higher elevations. Wind redistribution at Alpine/Treeline elevations has created a soft slab on open slopes and lee features. A thick crust can be found 20-30cm off of the ground. Below Treeline, the snowpack tapers to 40cms or less, making ski outs treacherous! Expect glaciers to have poor coverage and thin bridging.

Weather Summary

Wintry temps with light flurries for the next few days.

Mon Night: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, Alp low -12*C, light SW winds.

Tues: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high -9*C, mod SE winds

Wed: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5cm, Alp high -7*C, mod SE winds

Thurs: Cloudy, isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, Alp high -6*C, light winds

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.