Avalanche Forecast

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in this region. However, note that we have had no field observations in for this forecast region this winter.

Potential for skier-trigger avalanches are likely to be found on terrain features that harbor additional snow such as just below ridgetops and on steep wind-loaded slopes.

Another 5-10 cm accumulated Thursday morning, with 15-30 cm total snowfall accumulated in the last few days. In the short term, reports suggest the new snow is not bonding to a layer of surface hoar below.

Early-season conditions exist with low snow amounts and crusts found at lower elevations. A deeper and drier snowpack exceeding 1 m is found at treeline and alpine elevations.

Around 65 cm of snow overlies a weak layer that formed mid-November that consists of sugary faceted grains, weak surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain features, and a hard crust on steep sun-exposed slopes. The lower snowpack presents as well settled.

Thursday night

Mostly cloudy with starry breaks. 10-15 km/hr west wind, treeline temperatures fall below -20 °C.

Friday

Increasing clouds through the day with light flurries starting late in the afternoon. Increasing southwest wind 15-25 km/hr. Treeline temperature high -12 °C.

Gusty winds and scattered flurries overnight, trace to 5 cm accumulating by Saturday morning. Southwest wind 20-30 km/hr decreasing through the day. Treeline high temperature -6 °C.

Clear, cold, and calm. Light northeast wind, treeline temperatures falling to -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
• Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.