Avalanche Forecast

Avalanche Bulletin - Glacier National Park

Date issued

Nov 2, 2017 - 1:46 PM

Valid until

until further notice

Prepared by

danyelle magnan

A skiff of new snow down to highway level will barely cover early season hazards. Expect rugged conditions below treeline (full body armor might be a good idea). Above treeline, enough snow exists to avalanche. See Forecast Details tab.

Danger Ratings
Problems
Details

Early Season Conditions

Insufficient observations exist to reliably rate the avalanche danger. Expect shallow snow cover with thinly buried rocks and trees just beneath the surface. Avalanche danger often concentrates in gullies and other deposition areas, where windslabs may bond poorly to a weak underlying base. Deeper snow usually exists at higher elevations.

More Early Season Details

Avalanche Summary

We have had several natural avalanches to size 2.5 off of steep terrain off the north face of Mt MacDonald in the highway corridor in the past week. No reported or observed activity in the back country so far.

Snowpack Summary

Early season snowpack conditions exist. Expect very little in the way of snow below 1600m. 80-120cm at and above treeline. Moderate to strong NE winds will have loaded lee slopes, building deeper (and potentially more reactive) drifts.

Weather Forecast

An arctic front will continue to bring flurries, but also cold temps. Expect ~5cm today, with temps continuing to drop throughout the day. Moderate NE winds will transport the new snow onto lees. On Friday expect flurries to taper off, with an alpine high of -14. Over the weekend expect and mix of sun and cloud with alpine highs of -14'C.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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