Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

The arctic ridge will continue to persist today. By  mid- week, a significant change will take place in the current weather pattern as a pacific frontal system brings precipitation, warmer temperatures and strong winds from the West.Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with some sunny periods. Alpine temperatures show a high of -13. Ridgetop winds light from the NW.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with snow amounts up to 5 cm. Alpine temperatures show a high of -10. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West.Thursday: Cloudy with snow amounts 3-5 cm. Alpine temperatures show a high of -9. Ridgetop winds light from the SW.Higher snowfall amounts may occur in the central part of the region.

No recent avalanche observations have been reported.

Strong NE winds have reverse loaded and formed isolated wind slabs on SE through West aspects behind terrain features and on open slopes.Widespread surface hoar development and surface faceting exists. Snowpack depths at treeline vary across the region, averaging 70-110 cm. In the Southern part of the region there is 40-70cm of new snow over the late-November surface hoar/ crust/ facet interface that may be reactive, especially in sheltered northerly aspects where the surface hoar was better preserved.In the Northern part of the region the lower/mid snowpack is fundamentally weak, composed of an early season crust (more prevalent on north aspects) and weak faceted crystals above and below the crust. This persistent slab may be stubborn to trigger, but if triggered have high consequences.