Avalanche Forecast

One size 2 natural from the Lizard Range during Friday's storm was up to 40 cm deep, 150m wide and ran 300m. I suspect this is representative of more to come: I'm expecting natural avalanches will release during the storm.

Ponder this: by Sunday night the snowpack may have received 60mm of water equivalency. That pretty much doubles the snowpack. Adding 50% or more load to a young, thin snowpack is significant. I'm thinking it's possible something might scrub down into the lower snowpack or even to ground.

Upper snowpack: consists of the 15 to 30 cm of snow over the past week. At the bottom of this recent snow is a layer of surface hoar.

Lower Snowpack: sugary faceted snow and with a rain crust just above the ground.

Snowpack depths at treeline are 45 to 75 cm, and in the alpine 65 to 125 cm.

Saturday NightIt's going to be a dark and stormy night. Precipitation: 15 - 20 cm Wind: southwest moderate to strong Temperature: cooling around -10 C.

SundayStorm winding down late in the day. Precipitation: 10 to 15cm. Wind: moderate southwest, veering and diminishing as the system winds down. Temperatures: -10 C and falling to -15 C as the storm moves out.

Dry, mix of sun or cloud, depending where you are in the region, light west wind, and temperatures around -15 C.

Similar to Monday only colder. Temperatures around -20 in the mountains.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.