Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Interior regions will start to see light-moderate amounts of snow, gradual warming and strong ridgetop winds as the weakening cold front passes through on Thursday. The Northern part of the Purcells may see fewer accumulations.Thursday: Cloudy. Snow amounts 10-15 cm. Alpine temperatures near -9. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West.Friday: Precipitation will taper off as we see a break in the system. Cloudy skies, snow amounts near 5 cm. Alpine temperatures -9. Ridgetop winds strong from the West.Saturday: Cloudy with snow amounts near 5 cm. Alpine temperatures -7. Ridgetop winds moderate from the SW.

Wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 have been easily triggered under the weight of a rider, most commonly on N-NE aspects, cross-loaded features and the immediate leeward side of ridge crests. Loose dry surface sluffing from steeper terrain is expected, use caution near terrain traps like cliffs, and depressions.

Shifting winds have formed stiff wind slabs on the lee side of ridge lines. Snowpack depths at treeline vary across the region, averaging 70-110 cm. Widespread surface hoar development and surface faceting exists from the previous cold temperatures and is now getting buried by incremental snowfall amounts. In the Southern part of the region there is 40-70cm of low density snow over the late-November surface hoar/ crust/ facet interface. This layer may become reactive as it sees additional load, and warming temperatures, forming more of a slab.In the Northern part of the region the lower/mid snowpack is weak, composed of an early season crust (more prevalent on north aspects) weak faceted crystals and depth hoar above and below the crust. This persistent slab may be stubborn to trigger, but if triggered have high consequences.