Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

An above freezing layer has pushed into the Interior ranges and will persist through Thursday allowing for a strong alpine temperature inversion. Alpine temperatures will be near -5 and below treeline temperatures will be near -15. Ridgetop winds will be moderate from the north-northwest. Friday will bring change in the weather pattern. Confidence in model agreement is poor with precipitation and wind values, however; it looks like we could receive 5 mm, accompanied by moderate westerly winds.

No new avalanches have been reported.

Up to 30cm of low-density snow exists on the surface. In the alpine and at treeline, strong northerly winds have transported this snow into stiff and reactive wind slabs on opposite slopes. Up to 70 cm below the surface (more in wind affected areas) you may find a crust which formed in December. The crust, which may have surface hoar on top of it, may extend into the alpine to at least 2100 m. Where the crust exists, it may be bridging triggers from penetrating to deeper persistent weaknesses. However, on high alpine slopes above where the rain crust formed, or in areas where rain didn't occur, deeply buried facets may still be susceptible to triggering especially in thinner snowpack areas.