Avalanche Forecast

Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow, 15-25 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level 500 m.SATURDAY: Flurries, 5-20 cm accumulation. Strong west-northwest wind with extreme gusts. Freezing level 500 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light to moderate west wind. Freezing level 500m.MONDAY: Flurries, 5-10 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong west wind. Freezing level below 500 m.

On Thursday, an old natural avalanche was reported near the Hankin Hut. This avalanche occurred on a steep and rocky north aspect and likely failed last weekend as the crown had been blown in. Last Monday, wind-loaded pockets were reactive to skier traffic, including 2 very small unsupported pockets remotely triggered (from a distance) by skiers. Information from this region is limited. Tell us what you see by posting to the Mountain Information Network! (MIN)

Snow starting early Friday morning deposited 5-15 cm snow around the region by Friday evening.Under the new snow, 20-30 cm of recent snow was redistributed by wind and formed slabs in the alpine and treeline. This adds to the snowfall received through December. In total, 50-100 cm covers a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) that formed during the dry spell in early December. Information about about how well the December snow is bonding to this layer is limited in this region. Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.