Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Tuesday

Overnight and Monday: An upper ridge of HIGH pressure will cause temperatures in the alpine to dip to about -16.0 overnight. An inversion is expected to develop in the alpine during the day which may cause temperatures to be near zero at ridge tops with cloud in the valleys. Clear skies may cause some solar warming on steep Southwest thru West aspects. Light Northerly winds and no precipitation.Tuesday:Continued mostly clear skies and valley cloud. Light Northerly winds and no precipitation.Wednesday: The upper ridge is expected to continue dominate the region. Mostly clear skies and valley cloud, light winds, and no precipitation are expected.

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.