Abajos

The avalanche danger is MODERATE today and human triggered avalanches remain possible on steep, wind drifted slopes. Today's storm isn't likely to affect the danger much, but we may see some shallow, sensitive drifts developing later today on upper elevation slopes that have an easterly component to their aspect. Triggering an old wind slab is becoming increasingly less likely, but a triggered wind slab also has the potential to step down into a buried, persistent weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche. You are most likely to encounter a persistent weak layer on steep, shady, northerly facing slopes where the snowpack is shallow, and in areas of rocky, more radical terrain. Most low elevation and south-facing terrain have LOW danger.

Clouds have begun streaming in ahead of a storm system that is dropping down from the NW. Unfortunately for us, this storm is a little too northerly and it will clip by us to the east as it makes its way southward. Today we'll see mostly cloudy skies, moderate NW winds, and a chance of snow with up to an inch possible. Snow showers will continue tonight with another 1"-2" possible.

I don't expect the avalanche danger to increase much from this event. We may see some shallow, sensitive drifts forming on slopes that have an easterly component to their aspect later in the day.

Webcam image courtesy of Kevin Dressel.

Dustin Randal from ROAM Industry was up sampling the goods near North Creek Pass yesterday.

NWS Weather Forecast.

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

Wind, temperature, and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')

This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.