Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Mar 3 – 4, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Rider triggered avalanches are likely, especially on wind loaded features.

Give the new snow time to bond, start conservatively and watch for signs of instability before increasing your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Watch out for your sluff in steep terrain, this may gain enough mass to push you off line and even take you for a ride.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    New snow with moderate to strong winds on Thurs added to existing storm slabs making them ~50cm deep and increasing the potential for large destructive avalanches. Practice good travel habits and minimize your exposure while these slabs bond.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A small natural avalanche cycle was observed from steep terrain on Thurs along the hwy corridor with storm slab avalanches up to size 3 terminating at the beginning of runouts. A field team triggered a sz 1 avalanche failing on the previous storm interface ~50cm deep.

A rider triggered a sz 2.5 avalanche on Bruins Ridge on Monday. This feature has avalanched 3 times this winter on basal facets and may continue to.

Snowpack Summary

20-25cm of new snow, accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds fell on Thurs. This new snow covers old wind slabs in exposed areas, breakable crust on steep solar aspects and settled snow in sheltered areas.

The mid snowpack is generally strong while the deep persistent weakness remains, this consists of rounding facets and a decomposing crust in some locations.

Weather Summary

A cold front passed over the park overnight leaving an unstable airmass with scattered convective flurries in its wake.

Fri: Cloudy w/ sunny periods, trace of new snow, strong SW winds, Alp high -12*C, freezing level 500m

Sat: Mix of sun & cloud w/ a trace of new snow, light E winds, Alp high -10*C, freezing level 900m

Sun: Mix of sun & cloud, light E winds, Alp high -13*C, freezing level 700m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Start with conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
  • Be carefull with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.

Regions covered