Avalanche Forecast

Good

Sunday: A weak ridge of high pressure should bring dry conditions with light north winds and alpine temperatures near -4.Monday: High pressure will continue to influence the region giving mostly sunny conditions, light northwest winds. Possible temperature inversion bringing slightly warmer alpine temperatures.Tuesday: Dry conditions persist as the ridge of high pressure slowly shifts east. Increasingly overcast skies. Continued light northwesterly winds. Alpine temperatures near -7.

Recent avalanche activity in the region has been limited to loose snow avalanches running in steep terrain and isolated slab releases to size 2 from steep rocky terrain in the alpine. Glide cracks are continuing to open wider. The potential for subsequent largely unpredictable full-depth avalanches are a concern.

In sheltered open areas at tree line and below there is newly formed surface hoar now buried by 10-30cm of low density snow. This surface hoar may be sitting on a thin sun crust on steep southerly facing slopes. The mid-pack is reported to be well settled. Recent reports indicate late November surface hoar (near the middle of the snowpack) and early November crust (near the base of the snowpack) have been inactive. It's important to note that professionals are still cautious about these lingering persistent slab problems, however the likelihood of triggering is low. Be wary of steep complex terrain with a shallow snowpack, where triggering a persistent weakness is more likely.