Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Glacier National Park
The cold temps have persevered the high quality powder skiing and riding.
Enjoy the last turns of 2017 and a safe new year!
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The December 15 surface hoar layer is widespread around treeline and buried 60cm. Cold temps have kept the slab from gaining cohesion, but it may be reactive on steep unsupported and/or wind affected terrain.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for signs of slab formation, such as whumpfing and shooting cracks.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Avalanche Summary
We experienced a natural avalanche cycle yesterday with numerous loose dry and storm slab avalanches up to sz 3.0, mostly from steep, confined terrain. Be aware of naturals from above especially while traveling in confined valley bottoms as avalanches have the potential to reach into run-out zones.
Snowpack Summary
25cm of low density storm snow now buries the Dec 27 surface hoar/ facet layer. The Dec 15 surface hoar/sun crust layer, which is widespread at treeline, is buried down 60cms. Cold temperatures have hindered slab development in the upper snowpack. Expect to find pockets of wind slab in the alpine and open ares at tree line.
Weather Forecast
The all to familiar arctic high pressure system has not taken our hints this season and plans to crash the new years party tonight and will most likely hang around into mid next week. Expect sun with periods of cloud today, an alpine high of -12 and light westerly winds. Some forecast models show the return of snow at the end of the week.
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The 25cms of recent storm snow along with the available fetch and recent strong winds will have created pockets of slab on lee slopes. Based on observations yesterday, avalanches have the potential to reach out into runout zones.