Avalanche Forecast

Despite the lack of reported avalanche activity, the buried surface hoar continues to cause concerning results in snowpack tests and shows signs of instability like whumpfs and shooting cracks.

Approximately 10 cm of recent snow is settling over a variety of old surfaces, including a thin crust on steep solar-facing terrain and surface hoar in wind-sheltered features.

Down 30-50 cm a 5-15 cm thick, frozen crust exists. It has been observed up to 2350 m, but it is starting to break down at treeline and above, where it is thinner. A concerning layer of surface hoar buried in early December is 60-90 cm deep at treeline and above.

The lower snowpack is generally faceted.

Average treeline snowpack depths are between 80 and 150 cm. Snowpack depth tapers rapidly with elevation.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.