Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

TUESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, light northeast winds, alpine temperatures around -20.WEDNESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light north winds, alpine temperatures around -18.THURSDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods, light northwest winds, alpine temperatures around -16.

On Sunday, wind slabs were reactive to human triggers on south and west facing slopes, as reports included ski cutting and remote triggering of size 1-1.5 avalanches. Natural wind slab activity in the size 1-2 range was also reported on Sunday and Monday. Expect wind slabs to remain reactive to human triggers in specific areas, such as the immediately lee of ridges and on sun-exposed slopes.

Strong winds on Sunday had an extensive effect in exposed terrain at all elevations. Expect scouring, hard wind slabs, and thicker reactive wind slabs in unusual places as the winds shifted from west to northeast. Sunny weather is likely making wind slabs extra touchy on south-facing slopes. The mid-December facet/surface hoar layer can be found buried 80-120 cm deep, and has been showing signs of gaining strength recently with little to no recent avalanche activity in the region. The layer may still be reactive in isolated areas such as steep south-facing slopes and thin snowpack areas. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground.