Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Overnight and Friday: Light snowfall (w/ locally moderate accumulations) / moderate west winds / Freezing level at surfaceSaturday: No precipitation / Light northwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceSunday: Light snowfall / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at surface

Observations in the region have been limited; however, on Thursday explosives control produced avalanches to size 1.5 that ran within recent storm layers. There was also an isolated size 1.5 release that failed to ground in steep, unskiable, rocky terrain with crown depths to 85cm.

In the upper snowpack, recent strong winds and light to locally moderate snowfall are responsible for wind slabs which are likely to exist on north to northeast aspects at treeline and above. Winds have also shaped new cornices which could fail and act as a trigger for the slope below.Up to 75cm of  snow that fell over the past week may sit above a surface hoar layer that was buried on November 28th. Although not widespread in the region, releases on this layer may be likely if you have it in your area. Another surface hoar layer that developed during mid-november may exist up to 100cm down, and is still on the radar of professionals in the Golden area.Near the ground is the early November crust. There are some facets below it, or it may appear as a sandwich of crusts and facets. In some areas it may only now be primed for triggering with recent heavy loading. Observations have been limited; however, deep and destructive slides have been reported on this layer in a neighboring region.In general, significant variations in snowpack structure exist across the region. Digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection.