Avalanche Forecast
North Columbia
Isolated small wind slabs may have formed below ridgetops in areas that received 10cm or more of snow on Friday.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Only a problem in steep terrain that received 10cm or more of new snow.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported within this region on Thursday. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
The 5-10cm of new snow on Friday fell on a wide variety of surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. There is not yet significant new snow load to create big problems, however, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the smorgasbord of surfaces out there. When we receive significant new snow and it settles into a cohesive slab, you can bet there will be avalanches. I would be most concerned about areas that have surface hoar sitting on top of a hard crust.
A major feature in the snowpack is a crust which was formed by rain in late November. It is down approximately 30-60cm at treeline elevations and snowpack tests suggest the snow is currently bonding well to it.
Below treeline, the snowpack depth decreases rapidly. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate, westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.
SUNDAY: 10-15cm snow / Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.
MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate westerly ridgetop winds / Freezing level valley bottom.
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5-10cm of new snow on Friday combined with light to moderate winds from a variety of directions may have formed small wind slabs in isolated locations below ridgetops.