Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Glacier National Park
A warming trend will increase potential slab formation over the Dec 15 persistent weak layer. Watch for changing conditions and take time to evaluate the snowpack.
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.
- Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
We may see a natural loose dry cycle on higher elevation steep solar aspects if the sun does come out today. These may be triggered naturally or from skier traffic.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed or reported in the last 24 hours. On Tuesday our team had a skier remote size 1 on a S aspect in the west end of the park. This slide released on the Dec 15th layer. Frequent Flyer came out size 2 sometime on Tuesday down across the summer trail.
Snowpack Summary
The Dec 15th PWL (most prominent at TL) is the main layer of concern. Small slides have been occurring sporadically on this layer. Slab development has been slow with the past cold, but warming temps and solar input will contribute to slab development over the Dec 15th layer. Steep solar aspects will have a sun crust after yesterday's warmth.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with sunny periods an alpine high of -1C and light winds are the forecast for today. A SW flow, warming temps and moderate precipitation in the form of snow is expected Friday through Sunday. Look for an increasing avalanche danger trend.
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The December 15 surface hoar layer is widespread around treeline and buried 60cm. Cold temps have kept the slab from settling and gaining cohesion however this is expected to change with the warming trend.