Although the snowpack remains shallow, and early-season conditions persist, small avalanches are possible at higher elevations due to pockets of reactive wind slab
Isolated pockets of wind slab may exist in wind-loaded areas such as cross-loaded slopes, areas of drifted snow behind ribs, gullies, and other terrain breaks.
Skiers triggered a few small (size 1) wind slabs at treeline near Revelstoke on Saturday.
The potential for isolated pockets of wind slab remains, but the biggest hazard is a shallow, early-season snowpack in combination with flat light or low visibility.
Please consider posting a MIN if you are heading out in the backcountry!
Up to 10 cm of new snow has buried various surfaces, including faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered areas, firm wind-affected snow in exposed areas, and a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. A supportive melt-freeze crust from mid-November is buried at 40–60 cm and extends up to about 2200 m.
The average snow depth at treeline ranges from 70 to 100 cm.
Below treeline, the snowpack tapers significantly. Watch out for variable snow conditions and quality—early-season hazards such as open creeks, rocks, and stumps are abundant.
Monday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow at treeline. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. Trace amounts of snow at treeline. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow at treeline. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 10 cm of snow at treeline. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
