Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Glacier National Park
Human triggering of sensitive weak layers is likely. Careful evaluation of the snowpack is required for safe travel.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in alpine lees. Recent snowfall mixed with wind loading has created storm slabs.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The January 4th surface hoar is down 60cm and the Dec 15th layer is down 100cm. After a month under the snow, this surface hoar remains widespread and well-preserved. These layers should not be overlooked and could be more sensitive in thin areas.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
In the previous 48 hrs we experienced a natural avalanche cycle triggered by strong winds and snowfall. Forecasters observed size 2-3 avalanches in steep north facing alpine paths.
Snowpack Summary
Around 35cm of new storm snow sits atop the January 16 surface hoar layer which is settling quickly and reactive in tests(video here). Strong South winds have redistributed the recent snow in the Alpine. The December 15 surface hoar is down 100cm and is highly visible in profiles. This layer is still producing sudden planar results in tests
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries bringing 2-5 cms. Alpine temperatures will be steady around -8 with freezing levels reaching 1100m. Winds in the alpine will be 25-35 from the Southwest. Expect unsettled weather over the weekend and early next week. Sunday looks like the stormiest day with strong winds and 10-20cms of snow forecast
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Avalanche Bulletin - Glacier National Park URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/glacier.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Previous strong Southerly winds combined with recent new snow has led to surface slab development. This buries the Jan 16 surface hoar layer which is widespread and found down 30cm. Slabs triggered over this weak layer could propagate far.