Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
With low-density snow, be aware of the potential for small loose avalanches in steep terrain.
Forecasted snow amounts and moderate winds will rapidly create wind slabs in open terrain. Wind slabs could be reactive as they overlie a crust, buried surface hoar or hard wind-affected surface. Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
No recent avalanches have been reported recently. Keep sharing your observations by submitting a MIN report! They are especially helpful in the early season when snowpack information can be limited.
The snowpack is thin and averages 100 cm deep at treeline. The surface is now a variety of crusts, heavily wind-affected snow in exposed areas and drier snow on upper north slopes.
Down approximately 70 cm, a buried layer contains decomposed surface hoar crystals. There is also a layer of weak, sugary crystals near the base of the snowpack. Neither of these layers has produced avalanches, but uncertainty remains on the effect of cold temperatures on these deep layers.
A weather system from the Pacific will spread moderate snowfalls to this region Tuesday. A return to drier conditions with cold temperatures and strong outflow winds continues for the rest of the week.
Monday night
Snow 10-15 cm. Westerly wind at 20-30 km/h at ridge tops. Low of -15 ˚C.
Tuesday
Snow 5 cm. Westerly wind at 40-50 km/h at ridge tops. High of -12 ˚C.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. No precipitation. Northwest wind at 30 km/h at ridge tops. High of -15 ˚C.
Thursday
Cloudy. No precipitation. Southeasterly wind at 40 km/h at ridge tops. High of -12 ˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
