Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / wind light to moderate north / alpine temperature -13 SATURDAY: Mainly sunny / wind moderate northwest / alpine temperature –11 SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / wind light to moderate north / alpine temperature -9

Reports from the past few days  indicate a few size 1-1.5 remote triggered (triggered from a distance) avalanches in the alpine and tree line. These are isolated to this past week's storm snow. Additional reports show natural wind and storm slab avalanches to size 2 in the alpine on north and east aspects in the alpine along with skier triggered and natural size 1 loose snow avalanches in steep terrain at tree line and in the alpine. As snow amounts continue to settle and consolidate in the coming days, expect to see avalanche activity continue.

30-50cm of new snow accumulating over the past week sits on a wide variety of old surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. As the snow load builds and slab properties develop, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces. Most concerning would be areas that have had previous surface hoar development, such as sheltered areas at and below tree line and/or sheltered northerly aspects in the alpine. A crust which was formed by rain in late November is a major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 60-100cm at tree line elevations. Snowpack tests suggest the snow above is currently bonding well to it.Snowpack depth decreases rapidly below tree line. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.