Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

The weather trend will start to stabilize as a high pressure system sets up, allowing dryer and cooler conditions. Clouds will linger through the weekend.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy/ alpine temperatures near -6/ generally light winds from southwest/ freezing level 1500 mSATURDAY: Cloudy with new snow 5-10 cm/ alpine temperatures near -9/ ridgetop winds light from the North/ freezing levels 1400 mSUNDAY: Cloudy with a trace of new snow/ alpine temperatures -11/ ridgetop winds light from the northeast/ freezing levels valley bottom

No new avalanches have been reported in the region. However, we currently have very limited observations which allows for much uncertainty in the snowpack. Check out the FORECASTER BLOG post to read deeper into those uncertainties. If you have been out, please submit any observations to the Mountain Information Network MIN.

Approximately 5-10 cm of new snow possibly sits on top of a widespread layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas. The new snow has been redistributed by recent southerly winds. A mixed layer melt-freeze crusts and sugary facets buried late October can be found at the base of the snowpack at treeline and in the alpine. This layer has not been active, but there is potential for slab avalanches on this layer given the current snowpack structure and jumping into suspect terrain features like smooth alpine bowls with variable snowpack depths.  Average snowpack depths at treeline are near 70 cm and taper quickly as elevation decreases. Snow depths below tree line are generally below the threshold depth to produce avalanche