Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Friday will see a continuation of Thursday's drying and cooling trend before the next wave of warm and wet precipitation returns on Saturday.FRIDAY: Flurries, accumulation 10-20 cm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature -1. Freezing level 1200 m.SATURDAY: Snow, accumulation 20-30 cm. Moderate to Strong south wind. Alpine temperature 1. Freezing level 2000 m.SUNDAY: Wet snow or rain, accumulation 20-30 mm. Strong south wind. Alpine temperature 2. Freezing level 2200 m.

Following the November 17-19 storm, a natural avalanche cycle produced storm slabs to size 3 on predominantly northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Cornices were also touchy and large for this time of year and producing large avalanches after releasing onto slopes below. Subsequent warm weather and rain to mountain tops produced numerous loose, wet avalanches as rain drenched all elevations. Expect this activity to subside during the cooler drying trend on Friday but then increase again during the next storm event on the weekend.

Cooler temperatures and lowering freezing levels have formed a 2 cm thick crust at 1800 m and above. Below this crust the upper snowpack is saturated down 30 cm to the November 21st crust at alpine elevations while at treeline and below the entire snowpack as been soaked through to ground. The November 9th crust/persistent weak layer combo near the bottom of the snowpack is now down 150 - 240 cm in alpine and glaciated terrain.