Wind-loaded bowls and gullies may present as an appealing place to get some early-season turns, but they're also the places where avalanches are most likely to occur.
Pockets of wind-loaded snow sitting atop a weak, facetted lower snowpack may be found at higher elevations, primarily in east facing terrain features.
No new avalanches have been reported in the past few days.
Observations are limited this time of year. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you do head out in the backcountry! 🙏
Expect early-season conditions with a shallower-than-average snowpack, at treeline depths are between 40 and 60 cm. Below treeline, snowpack depths taper off quickly.
Surface conditions are variable. Surface hoar growth has been reported in some areas. A sun crust can be found on some steep south and west-facing slopes. In the alpine and on exposed treeline features, a mix of wind scouring and loading can be found from previous southwest winds.
A crust with facets below exists at or near the ground.
Monday night
Clear periods, no precipitation, west alpine wind 5 to 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Valley cloud in many areas, clear above, no precipitation, west alpine wind 5 to 15 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C with an alpine temperature inversion.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, west alpine wind 5 to 15 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, southwest alpine wind 5 to 10 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
