Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

A series of Pacific frontal systems will continue to dominate the weather pattern and hit the coastal regions throughout the forecast period. At this point model runs seem to be in agreement with timing and precipitation amounts.Saturday/Saturday night: Snow amounts 5-10 cm during the day with near 15 cm overnight. Alpine temperatures high of -6.0.Moderate SE ridgetop winds and freezing levels rising to 600 m. Sunday: Snow amounts 5 cm. Alpine temperatures near -9.0. Moderate SW ridgetop winds and freezing levels at valley bottom.Monday: Light snow amounts accompanied by light SW winds expected.

No new avalanche activity has been reported.

The region has received between 20-45 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong winds and slight warming may have added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, and potentially destructive wind slabs in exposed terrain. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.