Clearwater

New snow and wind are building fresh slabs at upper elevations.
Verify conditions and check for signs of instability before entering steep or committing slopes.

Moderate

• Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited. If you head into the backcountry, consider sharing your observations with the Mountain Information Network.

5 to 15 cm of new snow is expected by Saturday afternoon, accompanied by strong southerly winds. This will build new wind slabs in lee areas.

The new snow will be covering old wind pressed snow at upper elevations, a thin crust on steep southerly aspects, and surface hoar in isolated, shetlered areas.

A mid-December crust lies 30–50 cm deep, found up to 2200 m. Additional crusts exist in the mid and lower snowpack, including a mid-November crust with facets above and below, but neither of these layers is currently a concern.

Friday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Saturday
Cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow, up to 20 cm possible near Silverstar. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.