Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Thursday: A stronger front approaches the coast bringing light-moderate precipitation. Snow amounts 5-10cm. Ridgetop winds 15-25km/hr from the SW. Freezing levels 1300m cooling overnight. Friday: Snow amounts up to 10cms. Ridgetop winds 30-40km/hr from the SW. Freezing levels near 1500m. Saturday a weak ridge of high pressure will bring limited precipitation, alpine sun, and low level clouds. Freezing levels near 1400m.

A report of one natural cornice fall, pulling out a size 3 slab avalanche from the slope below. The avalanche occurred on a North aspect @ 1800m. The crown depth was up to 1.5 m, running 800m.

Surface snow conditions consist mainly of crusts that have developed due to melt/freeze conditions, and direct solar impact on steep Southerly aspects. Northerly aspects still host dry, wintery snow. On exposed lee slopes in the alpine there are pencil-4 finger stiff wind slabs. Surface faceting is occurring on sheltered, shady aspects. While shallow, rocky slopes are faceting and weaker; posing a threat to deeper releases. Surface hoar growth is near 5mm at treeline, and below treeline. These may be our next layers of concern once buried. The Feb 01 (120201) rain crust is down 10-40 cm up to about 2000 meters. The mid-January crust is down between 50-100 cm, and the mid December crust is buried down up to 200 cm. The average snowpack depth at 1650m is near 240cm.