Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

We should see a return to more seasonal temperatures this week with small accumulations of snow. MONDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Light to moderate westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1000 mTUESDAY: 5-15 cm of snow. Light to moderate westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1200 mWEDNESDAY: Isolated flurries. Moderate westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level rising around 1000 m

On Saturday, no new avalanches were reported in this region. A natural avalanche cycle is expected on Sunday into early Monday in areas where rain falls on dry snow. We currently have very limited observations in this region. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

A new crust formed on Thursday when temperatures cooled and the rain-soaked snow surface froze.Since then, 10-25 cm snow has fallen at treeline and above. Southerly winds (gusting strong at times) have re-distributed this new snow and likely formed wind slabs on lee features, such as below ridgetops and in gullies. The depth of the snowpack varies greatly with elevation. Recent reports suggest the average depth is 200+cm in the alpine, 100-160cm at treeline, and decreasing rapidly below treeline where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks. A major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed around November 11th and can be found approximately 100cm down at treeline elevations. We currently have very limited snowpack observations within this region and it is critical to supplement this information with your own observations.