Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

FRIDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5-10 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate from the west. Temperature -5. Freezing level 800 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light flurries. Accumulation trace. Ridge wind moderate from the northwest. Temperature -9. Freezing level 500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate from the southwest. Temperature -7. Freezing level 600 m.

There have been no reports of avalanche activity since the weekend when small, loose, dry avalanches were observed from skier traffic in steep terrain on Saturday.

The snow surface varies widely depending on aspect and elevation. On solar aspects a thin melt-freeze crust exists. On northerly aspects, feathery, surface hoar crystals (10-30 mm in length) have been observed below treeline as well as protected areas at treeline. In the alpine the surface consists of sugary snow (facets) and hard, wind scoured snow. Below the snow surface the upper snowpack is well settled and overlies a series of late-November crusts which is now buried 20-50 cm and is 15-25 cm thick. Recent snowpack tests have produced hard, resistant compression test results within the layers of this crust. Below the crust layer the lower snowpack is moist and well settled.