Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Tonight and Monday: Periods of snow 20-30 cm. The freezing level is near 1500 m lowering to 1000 m in the evening. Winds are strong from the SW. Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of flurries. The freezing level is near 800-1000 m and winds are moderate to strong from the west. Wednesday: Another frontal system should arrive bringing periods of snow. The freezing level is around 500-800 m.

There are no new reports from the region. Another pulse of precipitation and strong ridge top winds overnight Saturday may have tipped off a natural avalanche cycle in some areas. Touchy wind slabs probably built in N-E facing terrain well into treeline. Loose wet avalanches were possible below treeline as temperatures warmed near the tail end of the system.

Southern Sections: The latest weather system dropped another 20-30 cm of snow (with more on the way), bringing the total snowfall over the past week to around 150 cm. The recent storm snow is likely "upside down" feeling, with heavier snow on top due to warming at the tail end of the system. Winds were also very strong from the SW most likely creating fresh wind slabs in exposed lee terrain at all elevations. Freezing levels climbed to near 1500 m resulting in moist snow or rain below treeline. Much of the low elevation snowpack has been washed away by recent rain.Northern Sections: Another 15 cm of snow fell on Saturday night bringing the total snowfall over the past week to around 80 cm. Weaknesses may still exist within the recent storm snow. Fresh dense wind slabs are likely in exposed lee terrain and cross-loaded features at all elevations. A recently buried surface hoar layer is now down around 80 cm and is likely primed for rider triggering. A facet/crust layer exists near the base of the snowpack, primarily on higher NW through E facing slopes. Triggering this layer may be unlikely, but if triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and dangerous.