Watch for signs of slab instability like shooting cracks or fresh avalanches, and use extra caution around slopes that are being warmed by the sun.
Be ready to change plans with the potential for quick changes in the weather.
The weekend storm dropped about 20 cm of snow across the region. Due to recent, moderate southwest wind, expect to find deeper, more reactive deposits on leeward slopes.
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
No new avalanches reported in the last couple of days.
On Saturday, west of Valemount, several naturally triggered, small (size 1-1.5) Loose Dry avalanches were reported in steep terrain.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo. Heck, share what you had for lunch if that was the most eventful thing that happened:)
10-20 cm of mostly soft snow is settling over a widespread, thin crust except north facing high alpine slopes, where it sits on old, faceted surfaces.
The mid-snowpack is generally strong.
Below treeline, expect to find around 5cm of moist snow over a series of crusts, possibly supportive to the weight of a human.
There continues to be a weak layer of facets from November at the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern in rocky, shallow, or thin to thick snowpack areas at treeline and above.
A generally convective weather pattern will mean that on Tuesday we'll see spotty areas of cloud and light snowfall, or quick bursts of intense snowfall, but it also might be sunny, and everything could change at the drop of a hat.
Monday Night
Mostly clear. No new snow expected. Light north ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom. Treeline low around -7°C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, increasing cloud in the afternoon. Possible trace of snow expected. Light variable ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1300 m. Treeline high around -3°C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. No new snow expected. Light to moderate southwest and south ridgetop wind. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to 1500 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 0-3 cm of snow expected. Strong south ridgetop wind, trending to southwest at higher elevations. Freezing level at valley bottom in the morning, rising to 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
