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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2016–Dec 16th, 2016

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

Regions

Glacier.

Avalanches can occur, especially in extreme terrain, even though the danger rating is low. Have a look at our recent profiles to help you interpret the snowpack in Glacier National Park.

Weather Forecast

Plenty of sunshine today, with alpine highs around -14*C and 25kph winds from the East. Temperatures will be their coldest on Friday(daily high of -22!).  Thankfully this weather pattern is changing Saturday as the arctic high moves out of our region allowing Pacific weather systems to move inland bringing much needed moisture Sunday & Monday!

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of snow over the weekend has hidden widespread hard wind slabs formed during the cold Arctic outbreak. Moderate northerly winds overnight have blown the new snow forming thin surface slabs in the lee of ridges and alpine features. Recent snowpack tests indicate both of these slabs are stubborn to initiate and move slowly if propagated.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed in the highway corridor in the last few days. A brief explosive avalanche control mission Thursday produced no results.

Confidence

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.