Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Conditions on Wednesday will be unsettled as the storm is replaced by a ridge of high pressure that will establish itself for Thursday and Friday. By Wednesday afternoon the precipitation should have ended but scattered flurries are possible. Freezing levels should drop to near valley bottom and alpine winds should taper off to light from the NW. A mix of sun and cloud is expected for Thursday with freezing levels around valley bottom and light alpine winds. By Thursday afternoon, a weak disturbance may bring light scattered flurries. Friday should be mostly dry and cloudy with light alpine winds.

We received a report on Sunday from the Hankin area of a natural size 1 slab avalanche. This occurred on a north aspect at treeline. The crown depth was around 20cm and it failed on the most recent rain crust. Check out the report here: https://goo.gl/WdmvxL

The new snowfall is adding to the weekend storm slab which is typically between 20-40 cm thick. Very strong winds have transported snow in the alpine and at treeline into pockets of windslab that may not be well bonded to the old surfaces. Below the new snow you'll likely find wind-scoured surfaces and old wind slabs in exposed terrain, and settled storm snow closer to treeline. Near the base of the snowpack, weaknesses such as the mid-November crust-facet layer are still of concern. I'd use extra caution around steep, unsupported high elevation terrain as avalanches at this interface could propagate over wide distances.