Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

MONDAY: Snow Sunday night into Monday accumulations 5-10cm then cloudy with scattered flurries / Light to moderate west / Alpine temperature -5 TUESDAY: Periods of snow accumulations 10-15cm / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -10 WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -11

Recent reports in the north of the region indicate numerous size 1 wind slab avalanches in the lee of terrain features in the alpine. Please submit any observations you may have to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

The 10-15cm of new snow accumulating Friday through Sunday evening now 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 40-60cm 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.