Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Due to limited field observations for the entire period

The recent weather pattern continues, with a very persistent deep low off the coast driving a moist, mild SW flow over the region. Moderate accumulations are expected through the forecast period, accompanied by moderate S-SW winds. Sunday: Fzlvl’s 1300 m, snow amounts near 5 cm, ridgetop winds S 20-30 km/hr, alpine temps -4.Monday: Fzlvl’s 1200 m, snow amounts 8-15 cm, ridgetop winds S 35 km/hr, alpine temps -4.Tuesday: Fzlvl’s 1300 m in the am then falling to 700 m in the afternoon, snow amounts up to 20 cm, ridgetop winds S 30 km/hr, alpine temps -5 falling to -8.

No new avalanche observations have been reported.

Continued pulses of light-moderate snow accumulations, and strong ridgetop winds. Storm slabs and new wind slabs will load a variety of weak surfaces. These surfaces consist of large surface hoar, a thin sun crust, surface facets. The new snow may have a poor bond to these underlying weaknesses. Below the surface, the mid-pack seems to be settled and bridging over the early Nov facet/crust. However, near the bottom of the snowpack under the crust exists large, low density faceted crystals.Snowpack tests from earlier this week showed sudden collapse ("drops") results on the early November facet/crust deep persistent weakness. Because this weakness is so close to the ground in most areas, associated avalanche activity will likely be limited to slopes with smooth ground cover (e.g. scree slopes, rock slabs, summer firn, glaciers, etc.). Be aware of triggering this layer from thin, rocky areas, this persistent weakness my be a low probability/ high consequence scenario.Below treeline the snowpack generally sits below threshold.