Good skiing can be found in Glacier Park today, but be aware of wind affected areas and surprises such as pockets of slab, and early season hazards.
Weather Forecast
Overcast skies with sunny breaks are expected today, with very light precipitation and light NW winds. More precipitation is expected on Friday, but only light amounts. Temperatures will stay mild.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm snow has developed into a wind slab in the alpine, and rests on a well settled mid-pack. The Nov. 28 crust-surface hoar layer, and the Nov. 6 crust can both be found in profiles, but are not very reactive in tests.
Avalanche Summary
A few isolated natural avalanches were observed from steep terrain yesterday, mostly from north aspects. Avalanche control produced several slab avalanches up to size 3.5. Most of these were high elevation targets where cross loading was a factor.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday
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.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.