Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday

A series of Pacific frontal systems will hit the Interior region starting tonight and continue through next week. Each system will be a bit stronger bringing moderate to heavy snow amounts and strong winds. Sunday: Cloudy, alpine temperatures -14 with West winds 40-55 km/h. New snow 10-20 cm.Monday: Snow 15-25 cm with alpine temperatures near -12 and ridgetop winds West 50-70 km/h.Tuesday: A trace of new snow with alpine temperatures -11 and ridgetop winds West 30-45 km/h.

No new avalanche reports from Friday. With forecast strong winds and storm snow, fresh storm slabs may be triggered by light loads (skiers, sledders).

Continued cold temperatures have left us with a variety of snow surfaces including  facets at all elevations and some surface hoar in sheltered locations. Wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. The mid-November crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet (sugary snow crystals) development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.