Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Dec 2 – 3, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Loose Dry avalanches are running fast in steep terrain. Be prepared to manage your sluff where snow is unconsolidated in the alpine at at tree line.

There has been less wind slab development than expected but this problem remains a concern in exposed terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Recent fresh snow has been blown around by Southerly winds. Look out for fresh windslab at ridge top or areas at treeline exposed to wind.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    New light snow has been sluffing fast in steep terrain. Pay attention in gully features or in places where you don't want to be pushed by your sluff.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural Loose dry avalanches have been observed in the Park over the past two days up to size 1.5.

Rider triggered sluffing has been noted in recent MIN reports as well.

Field teams have observed wind slab development in the alpine but we have not noted any natural avalanche activity of this type recently.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of very low density snow has fallen over the past week! This new snow has buried a variety of old snow surfaces. These include: wind affected snow in higher Alpine areas, a crust on solar aspects, and settled storm snow in sheltered terrain.

The Nov 9 crust is down 50-100cm. The base of the snowpack is comprised of several dense, melt-freeze rain crusts formed in October.

Treeline snowpack depths average 110-130cm, falling to 45cm at Rogers Pass (1315m).

Weather Summary

Warming Temperature, no Precipitation

Tonight: Mainly cloudy. No precipitation. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h. Freezing level (FZL) 900 m.

Mon: A mix of sun & cloud. No precipitation. Alpine High -1 °C. Ridge wind SW 20 km/h, FZL 1500 m. Alpine temperature inversion.

Tues: Cloudy with sunny periods. No precipitation. Alpine High -2 °C. Ridge wind W 20-30. FZL 1600 m.

Wed: Cloudy with sunny periods. Ridge wind SW 20. FZL 1900 m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered