Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations

Expect light flurries in the southern portion of the forecast region on Monday and possibly Tuesday, then a brief drying-out on Wednesday before the next pulse of Pacific moisture arrives on Thursday bringing flurries and a possible 5 to 10 cm of snow at higher elevations.Freezing levels around 600m throughout out the forecast period.

No recent avalanches have been reported, but reports of solar warming have some areas talking about decreasing stability in the afternoon on step solar aspects, with size 1.5 avalanches possible.

A thick supportive surface crust has capped the snowpack in most, if not all parts of the forecast region. Below the crust is the most recent storm snow which is around 50-70cm deep and sits on a previously variable snow surface that included wind affected surfaces, a freezing rain crust or sun crust, and/or surface hoar or sugary facets in sheltered terrain. In the middle of the snowpack there exists a mid-December surface hoar or crust/facet weak layers. These are now typically buried 1m or more. The old surface hoar layer may be found in sheltered shady areas at and below treeline, while the slightly deeper crust/facet layer is expected to be more widespread and variable.