Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Synopsis: Warm air riding up and over the arctic air has created an above freezing layer at upper elevations that should stick around through Thursday afternoon. The dregs of a storm system move inland Thursday night. Snow totals are respectable, but nothing special.Thursday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom, Above Freezing Layer 1200m to 2000m Precipitation: 1 to 5mm | 1 to 5cm; Wind: Treeline: Moderate SW | Ridgetop: Strong, W.Thursday Night: Precipitation: 3 to 6mm | 3 to 10cm.Friday: Freezing Level: 800m; Precipitation: 1 to 3mm | 1 to 5cm; Wind: Treeline: Strong, W | Ridgetop: Extreme, NW.Saturday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precipitation: Trace; Wind: Treeline: Light, Variable | Ridgetop: Moderate, W.

No new avalanche activity to report from this region. In the neighboring NW Coastal region on Tuesday wind and storm slabs to size 2.5 ran on NW, SW and SE facing aspects between 1500 and 2000m.On Dec 29 a rider triggered a size 1.5 avalanche on a north aspect in the alpine at 1700m. The small steep wind loaded slope was triggered when the machine was climbing, the rider reportedly rode out of the avalanche behind the debris. See the Mountain Information Network for a photo and more details.

Total snowpack depth is around 80 to 90cm.Strong outflow winds on Dec. 29 left a variety of wind affected conditions in their wake in wind exposed terrain at all elevations. Some windward aspects and ridgelines were scoured down to bare ground. North facing slopes that still have snow are likely wind pressed. The thickest and likely hardest slabs should be found on south facing features and some degree of crossloading is likely found everywhere else.A layer of buried surface hoar down about 30-50 cm appears to be spotty in distribution, but is still a concern.Something of a sleeping giant can be found down near the bottom of the snowpack where a crust facet combo that was formed in mid-November lies dormant. This layer is producing variable results in test profiles, some sudden, some not. I suspect it will remain sensitive to new inputs in the form of new snow and wind for the foreseeable future.