Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Increasing cloud, moderate west winds and some light flurries are expected overnight Thursday. On Friday, cloudy skies with light snow amounts near 5 cm. Alpine temperatures near -10. A brief lull in the pattern for Saturday as a second Pacific low deepens off the coast. This low could bring moderate amounts of snow Sunday afternoon and overnight into Monday, however; confidence is poor with timing and precipitation amounts due to model discrepancies.

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snow surfaces are variable with northerly, wind exposed aspects showing firm wind press or scoured exposed crust, and more sheltered locations have up to 30 cm of light, low density, faceted snow. In the alpine and at treeline, strong northerly winds have transported this snow into stiff and reactive wind slabs on opposite slopes. Up to 70 cm below the surface (more in wind affected areas) you will likely find a hard, thick crust which formed mid-December. At higher elevations this crust has facets (sugary) snow above it and well-preserved surface hoar up to 10 mm in size in sheltered locations at treeline and below. Where the crust exists, it may be bridging triggers from penetrating to deeper persistent weaknesses. However, on high alpine slopes above where the rain crust formed, or in areas where rain didn't occur, deeply buried facets may still be susceptible to triggering, especially in thinner snowpack areas.