South Columbia

This bulletin was created using very limited field data. Substantial variation in snowpack structure is likely to exist across the region. If you are out in the mountains, please send your observations to [email protected]

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

A ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate on Wednesday and Thursday resulting in dry conditions, light alpine winds, and mostly sunny skies. The temperature inversion which has resulted in a layer of warm air sitting at mountain-top elevations will begin to break down in the northern parts of the region on Wednesday. By Thursday the temperature inversion should be gone from all parts of the region. A weak frontal system is expected on Thursday night or Friday and will result in light snowfall, mostly cloudy conditions, and moderate alpine winds for Friday.

No reports of recent avalanche activity have been received. This may speak more to the lack of reported observations rather than actual conditions. If you have information please feel free to contact us at [email protected]

Little to no new snow has fallen since the storm last Tuesday. The old storm snow and wind slabs have likely settled out and stabilized with the recent warm temperatures in the alpine. There are 2 weak layers within the snowpack which may still create avalanche problems: (1) the October crust is near the base of the snowpack; and (2) the November surface hoar is down 50-70 cm but appears to only exist in the northern areas of the region. Limited reports suggest that both layers have become difficult to trigger. However, if triggered, there is the potential to cause large, destructive avalanches. Sun exposed slopes are undergoing daily melt-freeze cycles. Large surface hoar is forming on all aspects but is melting on south aspects during the daytime warming.