Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northwesterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level near 1000m.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level near 800m with an above freezing layer 2000-3000m.FRIDAY: Cloudy with a chance of flurries / Moderate westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level near 500m.

A naturally triggered, size 2 wind slab was reported NW of Blue River on Monday (no further details were submitted). We currently have very limited observations within this region. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Small wind slabs may still be lingering in isolated locations on steep alpine faces but are likely stubborn to human trigger.Surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals) continue to grow larger in shady, sheltered areas where the wind or sun have been unable to destroy this layer which will be the primary concern after the next snowfall builds a slab on top of it. Southerly aspects have surface crusts that may also have surface hoar crystals on slopes that dont receive enough sun to melt the crystals or moist snow on steeper slopes that receive more direct sun.A major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed by rain in late November. It is down approximately 60-75cm at treeline elevations and snowpack tests suggest the snow is currently bonding well to it.Below treeline, the snowpack depth decreases rapidly. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.