Avalanche Forecast

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Interior regions will start to see moderate amounts of snow, gradual warming and strong ridgetop winds as the warm front of the Pacific Frontal systems arrives on Wednesday.Wednesday: Cloudy. Snow amounts 5-10 cm. Alpine temperatures near -9. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West. Thursday: Cloudy with flurries near 4 cm. Alpine temperatures near -10. Ridgetop winds moderate, gusting strong from the West.Friday: Cloudy with snow mounts near 5 cm. Alpine temperatures -8. Ridgetop winds light from the SW. On Friday a weak ridge may stall precipitation later in the day, and bring some sunny breaks.

No recent avalanche observations have been reported.

Strong NE winds have reverse loaded and formed isolated wind slabs in the leeward side of SE through West aspects. Loose dry surface sluffing from steeper terrain may occur, so use caution near terrain traps like cliffs, and depressions.Widespread surface hoar development and surface faceting exists from the previous cold temperatures and is now getting buried by incremental snowfall amounts. 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 and depth hoar above and below the crust. This persistent slab may be stubborn to trigger, but if triggered have high consequences.