Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Natural avalanches subsided on Wednesday, with cooler temps and less solar input. The snowpack still requires more cooling before it can fully heal from previous warmth, rain, and sun.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with flurries, Low of -9
Thursday and Friday: Mix of sun, cloud, and flurries, Alpine high temp of -8, winds 20-40kmph, and the Freezing level making it to 1500m
Snowpack Summary
Below treeline and on solar aspects to treeline the snowpack is probably isothermal with a weak crust, and or new snow capping the surface. At higher elevations, there is likely ~10cm of new snow overlying a variety of surfaces including, previous heavier snow, wind slabs, and possibly crusts.Â
Avalanche Summary
On Monday and Tuesday there was a widespread natural avalanche cycle, primarily on lower elevations and solar aspects including wet slabs, deep persistent slabs, glides, and loose wets to size 3! Some avalanches gouged to ground, breaking trees, and running full path!
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
On Monday and Tuesday, there was a widespread natural avalanche cycle, primarily on lower elevations and solar aspects including loose wet avalanches to size 3! The likelihood of avalanches has decreased, unless the sun makes a strong appearance.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
On Monday and Tuesday, there was a widespread natural avalanche cycle, primarily on lower elevations and solar aspects including deep persistent slabs, failing on the Dec 1st crust and gouging to ground!
- If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Daytime warming/rain will weaken surface layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
New snow, moderate SW winds, and mild temps are the perfect combination for forming fresh wind slabs in the alpine. Expect to find potentially reactive slabs if you can get to higher elevations.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5