Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

The low pressure system that hit the North Coast on Thursday night will reach the South Coast on Friday but will have weakened to the point that only minimal precipitation is expected. A weak ridge will build on Saturday and Sunday before the next low pressure system impacts the South Coast on Monday.Friday: Cloudy, light precipitation (very light or nil to the south of the region), freezing levels around valley bottom, light SW windsSaturday: Mostly cloudy, light precipitation possible, freezing levels around valley bottom, light NW windsSunday: Mostly cloudy, dry conditions, freezing levels around valley bottom, light W winds

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.The recent warm temperatures have generally promoted snowpack settlement and bonding within the snowpack. The recent storm snow is bonding well to the mid-Dec facet interface at treeline and below. Previous weak interfaces deeper in the snowpack are generally well bonded and recently unreactive to snowpack tests. In the alpine, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow creating wind slabs in leeward features and wind scoring on windward slopes.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface at treeline elevations and below.