Avalanche Danger will largely be driven by the wind over the short-term. North winds will deposit any loose snow into new wind slabs through reverse-loading. Look for higher quality riding in sheltered terrain features at lower elevations.
A good amount of north wind is forecast for the coming days. This will result in reverse loading and wind slab formation in places we don't normally expect it. Pay attention to the snow beneath you and watch for signs of instability including shooting cracks and stiffer, drum-like snow. This will most likely be found below ridge lines on the side walls of steep gullies.
No new avalanches have been reported recently.
Thank you for the MIN reports. They are extremely helpful to us! If you head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report!
In general, the snowpack is highly wind affected resulting in a wide variation in snowpack depths. Depths at treeline range from 50 to 125cm.
Upper Snowpack
20cm of loose snow will be redistributed by north winds and deposited into wind slabs.
Mid-pack
Generally well settled. A mid-November crust and facet layer is down approximately 60cm from the surface and is reportedly bonding well.
Lower-pack
Weak sugary snow (basal facets).
Wednesday night
Partly starry. No new snow. Winds fro the west-northwest at 25km/h. Temperatures at -5˚C in the alpine.
Thursday
Partly cloudy. No new snow. Winds from the northwest at 40km/h. Temperatures at -7˚C for most of the day.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. Flurries beginning late in the day. Moderate winds from the northwest decreasing through the day. High of -8˚C and a low of -12˚C
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5cm of new snow. Winds will vary in direction and speed but expect around 20km/h. Temperature starting at -12˚C and decreasing to -17˚C by the end of the day.
FridayMore details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
