Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Glacier National Park
Another good day for conservative terrain choices. The best skiing and riding can be found in sheltered locations at and below treeline.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
- Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Natural avalanche activity on the persistent weak layers has tapered off recently. The Jan 16th, 4th and Dec 15th surface hoar layers are buried deep, but avalanches in the storm snow can step down and trigger these weak interfaces.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
Avalanche Summary
Several naturals in the HWY corridor yesterday up to size 3. Avalanches reported from the backcountry 2 days ago with crowns 1.5m deep and up to size 2.5. On Mcgill Shoulder yesterday there was a skier accidental size 2, 30-50cm deep, 50m wide and ran for 300m in length. Significant sluffing was also observed in the Bostock drainage.
Snowpack Summary
Another 22cm on the boards yesterday morning bringing the weekly snowfall total to 160cm! Previous strong south winds created wind slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at TL. Storm snow has been settling out, however, we're still observing failures at these interfaces, with potential to step down to our plethora of persistent weak layers.
Weather Forecast
A mixed bag of weather today. We'll start off with sun and cloud and should see flurries without real significant accumulations. Freezing levels will be at valley bottom, an alpine high of -10c and moderate westerly winds. Our next storm will start this evening, then ramping up with 20cm falling by tomorrow afternoon and 40-50cm by Thursday pm.
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With the extra 25cm of new snow and moderate winds, our storm slab is not getting the time it needs to heal. A layer of large stellars was found down 25cm yesterday, which could have been the culprit layer in regards to the skier accidental size 2!