The likelihood of human-triggered avalanches remains elevated, particularly in wind-loaded terrain and steep slopes near treeline.
Avoid steep, open slopes at all elevations. The combination of surface hoar in sheltered areas, and a crust/facet combo everywhere else, makes for a tricky problem to manage. Choose conservative terrain.
Storm slabs are possible at all elevations, and may step down to a persistent weak layer. Leeward slopes are especially dangerous.
On Saturday, there were several large (size 3) natural avalanches near Panorama. Likely failing on the persistent weak layer.
Approximately 5 to 15 cm of snow fell on Monday with strong wind which likely built storm slabs over a weak snowpack.
Around 50 to 90 cm deep lies a potential weak layer of faceted snow at higher elevations, and surface hoar at lower elevations.
A mid-November melt-freeze crust is buried 60 to 100 cm below the surface at lower-alpine elevations (around 2400 m) and below, but this crust appears to be absent in higher-alpine terrain.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 90 to 140 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 to 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level falling to 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 25 to 30 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 2000 overnight, then falling to 1500 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds with up to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
