Expect avalanche activity to increase as the recent new snow settles in the coming days.
Problemas de aludes
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta montaña
Límite del bosque
Bajo el límite del bosque
Probabilidad
Possible - Likely
Tamaño
1–2
Recent west and northwest winds have created wind slabs in the lee of terrain features
Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alta montaña
Límite del bosque
Bajo el límite del bosque
Probabilidad
Likely
Tamaño
1–2
Expect the new snow to be become more reactive as it settles into a slab especially in sheltered areas at and below tree line where it may be sitting on a layer of feathery surface hoar crystals.
Confidence
Low - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, wind light to moderate east, alpine temperature -10 WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, wind light north, alpine temperatures -12 THURSDAY: Mix of sun cloud and isolated flurries, wind light to moderate north, alpine temperature 10
Avalanche Summary
Recent reports indicate natural and explosive triggered avalanches to size 2 and loose snow avalanches to size 1 in steep terrain. Expect to see avalanche activity increase as the new snow accumulates and settles in the coming days.
Snowpack Summary
15-30cm of new snow accumulating Friday through Sunday evening sits on a wide variety of old surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. As the snow load builds and slab properties develop, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces. Most concerning would be areas that have surface hoar sitting on top of a hard crust. A crust which was formed by rain in late November is a major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 50-80cm at tree line elevations. Snowpack tests suggest the snow above is currently bonding well to it. Snowpack depth decreases rapidly below tree line. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.