Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Weak surface high pressure over the south coast will provide some breaks in precipitation for Monday. On Tuesday, a low pressure system will move onto the central coast. There is a lot of uncertainty with the weather models as to the effect that this system will have on the S. Coast Inland for Tuesday and Wednesday.Monday: Mostly cloudy with light precipitation, freezing levels around 1000m, moderate westerly alpine winds.Tuesday/Wednesday: Light to moderate precipitation possible at times, freezing levels may rise to as high as 2000m with the potential for a temperature inversion, moderate westerly alpine winds decreasing into Wednesday.

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack depths vary greatly across the region with 130cm reported at treeline in the Northern Cascades but only 50 cm along the Duffy. In general, the snowpack across the region is significantly thinner than average for this time of year. Terrain below treeline is still mostly below threshold for avalanche activity.20 to 30 cm of new snow is settling into a soft slab. Southerly winds have formed pockets of windslab in alpine lee features. Surface hoar from early in December can be found buried is sheltered locations above 1900m. On slopes that were scoured by early December's strong N winds the late November crust may have been exposed on the surface before the recent snowfall however in most locations it underlies up to 40 cm of week sugary snow.A few crusts can be found near the ground at higher elevations especially in rocky alpine areas with a thin snowpack.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface at treeline elevations. In glaciated terrain the forecast snow might just be enough to hide open crevasses.