Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

A storm impacting the region offers a nice refresh of cold snow accompanied by strong wind largely out of the south.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, trace of snow possible, light variable wind.

THURSDAY: Overcast, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate wind largely out of the southwest, snow beginning in the morning, 2 to 8 cm expected during the day with another 5 to 15 cm expected Thursday night.

FRIDAY: Overcast, freezing level at valley bottom, strong west/southwest wind, 5 to 15 cm of snow possible.

SATURDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate west wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow possible.

Avalanche activity in the storm snow was diminished Tuesday, but there were still some natural avalanches to size 1.5 that were most prevalent in wind loaded upper elevation terrain features.

Lots of natural storm slab and loose dry avalanche activity to size 2 was observed Monday on all aspects.

Over the last week in the North Columbias, reported avalanche activity on the early December crust/facet interface has been confined to a pair of isolated avalanches in complex northeast facing alpine terrain which were triggered with explosive control work. The size 3 avalanches had crowns over a meter in depth. 

The weekend storm produced 20 to 60 cm of storm snow accompanied by wind that was quite variable, but mainly out of the south. Early reports from folks exploring in the alpine report that there was less wind loading than expected.

We're actively monitoring the early December crust. In some places it's scoured and on the surface, while in wind loaded terrain features it can be found as deep as 150 cm below the surface. It consists of faceted grains above a bulletproof crust formed by the Atmospheric Rivers of early December. There has been isolated avalanche activity on this crust in the last week that seems to be confined to complex alpine terrain. 

• Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
• Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.