Human triggering will be likely until the snowpack has refrozen
Warm weather and widespread avalanches have left difficult and hazardous backcountry travel conditions
Expect loose snow avalanches in steep terrain as freezing levels remain high. As these avalanches gather mass, they could potentially step down to deeper layers within the snowpack.
20+cm of sticky wet snow and warm temperatures have created a heavy, wet slab that is reactive at all elevations on unsupported rolls and cross-loaded features. Recent avalanches have been occurring in this layer and skiing/riding is extremely difficult.
A large natural avalanche cycle was observed on all aspects and elevations lasting from Sunday until Tuesday morning with some avalanches running full path and many gouging deeply in confined gullies. Recent avalanche control within and adjacent to the park produced numerous large avalanches up to size 3.5, some showing wide propagation.
A remote trigger adjacent to the west end of Glacier NP resulted in a sz 3.5 running from the Alpine to valley bottom.
The recent warm weather and rain has left the upper snowpack wet and weak making for difficult and hazardous travel at all elevations/aspects.
A sun crust (Jan 3), down 60-80cm, can be found at and below Tree-line on S-SW aspects. Recent avalanches have been stepping down to this layer and deeper within confined gullies.
The Dec 1 surface hoar layer, down ~120cm, is decomposing.
The warm weather will linger for another day or two before temperatures and freezing levels gradually lower into the weekend.
Thurs: Cloudy with isolated showers or flurries. High 3°C. Winds S light. FZL 2500m.
Fri: Cloudy with isolated flurries. High 1°C. FZL 2100m.
Sat: Cloudy with scattered flurries. High -3°C. FZL 1500m
