Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Overnight and Thursday: 5-10 cms of new snow is expected to start to fall this evening and end by late morning. Winds are expected to build to strong Westerly overnight. Temperatures are forecast to drop down to about -8.0 in the alpine. A weak ridge should follow that is expected to keep most areas dry until late evening when the next moisture moves in from the West.Friday: Continued light snow with strong Westerly winds. Freezing level at valley bottoms.Saturday: Light snow with light Southwest winds and milder temperatures.

One report of a natural size 1.5 avalanche from steep NE facing terrain.

In general, the region has a relatively shallow, faceted, and wind-affected snowpack that is well settled with progressively stiffer and stronger snow with depth. Large surface hoar growth and surface faceting continues in sheltered and shady areas, while sun-exposed slopes have been subject to melt-freeze cycles. Open unprotected areas are highly wind-effected with scoured areas, hard wind slab, sastrugi, and delicate cornices. All of these current snow surfaces will likely provide a poor bond once buried, and will be especially concerning when and where a sufficiently deep and cohesive slab develops.