The season is young and observations are minimal.
Verify conditions and be cautious with your movement and terrain selection.
Barely buried rocks could be a hazard in the case of any fall.
Consistent light snowfall and moderate south to southwest winds may be creating reactive wind slab on leeward and cross-loaded slopes.
Retreat to mellower terrain if you find signs of instability like shooting cracks.
No new avalanches have been reported.
In general, observations are limited this time of year. Be sure to verify conditions as you go. This MIN (Mountain Information Network) post is a great example of folks who found concerning wind slab, investigated further, and decided to ride a different area based on their snowpack tests.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN.
Expect to find soft snow in sheltered areas, and small pockets of wind slab on leeward slopes due to moderate to strong west or southwest wind. With rising temperatures, light rain around highway elevation is making things a little soggy.
Wind has varied in direction over the past week, old wind slabs could be found on all aspects.
Below ridgetops there is an average snowpack depth of 100 cm. Snowpack depth tapers with elevation to around 60 cm at the highway. Many early season hazards are just below the surface at this elevation.
Currently there are no layers of concern but data is limited. Thanks to everyone who has already submitted Mountain Information Network reports.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow at treeline. 30-50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow at treeline. 25-35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 cm of snow at treeline. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 300 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 cm of snow at treeline. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level 0 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
