Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, wind light to moderate northeast, alpine temperature -10 WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, wind light north, alpine temperatures -11 THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated flurries, wind light to moderate north, alpine temperature -9 

No new avalanches were reported within this region over the past few days. That being said as the recent new snow sitting on top of a variety of weak layers starts to settle, expect avalanche activity to increase. If you have any observations, please submit them to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

20-40cm of new snow accumulating through the weekend sits on a wide variety of old surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. As the snow load builds and slab properties develop, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces. Most concerning would be areas that have surface hoar sitting on top of a hard crust. A crust which was formed by rain in late November is a major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 60-80cm at tree line elevations. Snowpack tests suggest the snow above is currently bonding well to it. Snowpack depth decreases rapidly below tree line. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.