Avalanche Forecast

Friday night: Low of -12 at 1100 m. Light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light to moderate southerly winds.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Light southwest wind. High of -3 at 1100 m.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with light southwest wind. High of -5 at 1500 m.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. High of -5 at 1500m.

Avalanche activity has been minimal. A size 1.5 wind slab out of a steep couloir feature was the only report in the White Pass area on Thursday.

We suspect small wet loose avalanches could be observed on solar aspects if the sun comes out.

Around 50 cm of recent snow is settling and bonding well. Wind slabs can be found near ridge tops, below convexities and in steep or extreme terrain in the alpine. Moist snow could be observed on solar aspects if the sun comes out.

A couple of sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack but none have been identified as layers of particular concern. The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense, wind-pressed layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
• Even small cornices may have enough mass to be destructive and deadly.