Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Storm slabs on surface hoar turned things "electric" Monday afternoon, especially below treeline. Be wary of steep, gladed lines that did not avalanche during the storm.
Tuesday's sun may naturally trigger S'ly-facing slopes...heads up!
Weather Forecast
A brief ridge will build over the Interior, bringing sunshine, colder temps, and light mtn-top winds.
Tonight: Clearing with flurries, trace ppt, Alp low -11*C, light/gusting strong SW winds
Tues: Sunny periods, Alp high -10*C, light winds
Wed: Cloud with sun/flurries, Alp high -8*C, light SW winds
Thurs: Snow, 20cm, Alp high -5*C, mod/strong SW winds
Snowpack Summary
25-40cm of new snow, coupled with warm temps and mod/strong SW winds, has built storm slabs. The Jan11 surface hoar layer, down 40-60cm, has been extremely touchy with this new load, with numerous natural avalanches starting on this layer. The Dec 1 crust is buried up to 2m deep with weak, faceted snow above and below it.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle involving low elevation (below treeline) storm slabs occurred around noon Monday, with several sz 3's coming close or hitting the highway. Suspect Jan 11 surface hoar layer was sliding layer.
Treeline and above is currently in a natural cycle, with numerous sz 2.5-3's failing on all aspects in the highway corridor.
Confidence
Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
25-40cm of snow with warm temps and strong, gusty winds have built a storm slab. A natural cycle at all elevations started around noon Monday, with some bigger results (sz 3) from below treeline start zones failing on the Jan 11 surface hoar layer.
- Watch for fresh storm slabs on exposed lee slopes and open areas at all elevations.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Persistent Slabs
The New Year Facets may wake-up if a large storm slab avalanche is triggered onto it. Minimize your exposure to overhead avalanche terrain.
- Avoid thin, rocky or unsupported slopes.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4