Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

A strong arctic ridge of high pressure dominates conditions for the forecast period. Clear and dry conditions are expected for the next three days with a bit of a warming trend.Monday: Clear and sunny, treeline temperature around -10C, ridgetop winds light NW-NETuesday: Clear and sunny, treeline temperature around -6C, ridgetop winds light variableWednesday: Sunny with increasing cloudiness in the afternoon, treeline temperature around -3C, ridgetop winds light variable

We have been receiving less reports of natural activity in the last couple days but the natural avalanches that are occurring have been increasing in size.  On Saturday there were several natural size 3 and 3.5 avalanches reported in the region.Conditions are ideal for human triggering right now and we have received numerous reports of skier triggered avalanches recently, many of which have released quite deep in the snowpack. Several of these avalanches were remotely triggered. On Saturday we received three reports of remotely triggered avalanches in the South Columbias. The largest of these were size 2, the deepest was 120cm, and the farthest remote trigger was 400m away.

A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1 m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.