Avalanche Forecast

Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries / Precipitation: up to 5 cm / Light south ridge windMONDAY: Cloudy with flurries / Accumulation: 5-10 cm / Alpine temperature: High 0C / Moderate south ridge wind / Freezing level 1500mTUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries / Accumulation: up to 10 cm / Alpine temperature: High +2C / Moderate south-southwest ridge wind / Freezing level 1700mWEDNESDAY: Cloudy with flurries / Accumulation: up to 5 cm / Alpine temperature: High -3 / Light to moderate southwest ridge wind / Freezing level 1500m

On Saturday, a large human triggered avalanche was reported in the South Columbia forecast region. The size 3 avalanche occurred on a steep, north aspect in the alpine and failed to ground, likely on the October crust. Find the MIN report here.Small windslabs have been triggered by skiers and explosives in cross-loaded and lee terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations. Earlier in the month, a natural avalanche cycle took place over the late October crust/facet combination. Be aware of the continued possibility for smaller avalanches to 'step down' or even initiate at this deeper layer.

15-30 cm recent snow has buried a surface hoar/sun crust layer. Reports in the region show this variable layer sitting above a layer of recently reactive wind slab. This wind slab layer overlies yet another widespread layer of surface hoar from mid-November, now found about 20-40 cm deep. A final, prominent feature of the snowpack is a combination of a melt-freeze crust and underlying sugary, faceted snow found around the base of the snowpack. Avalanches have been triggered where there is a slab above this crust.