Rain and wet flurries, wind, and high freezing levels - expect to find changing conditions as you gain elevation and transition above the rain/snow line.
5-10 cm new snow accumulated Monday with more forecasted through the night. Snow and wind will build slabs at upper treeline and alpine elevations. The most reactive slabs will be in wind-loaded areas or around ridges and convex rolls. Be wary of cornices, they may grow quickly under the current conditions.
At elevations that receive rain (instead of snow) and above 0 temperatures, a wet loose hazard will persist as long as the snowpack is moist or wet.
In the north of the region (e.g., Duffey Lake), a weak layer of sugary faceted grains around a hard melt-freeze crust sits near the base of the snowpack. There is a lot of uncertainty on the reactivity of this layer - we're keeping it on our radar because we don't have enough information. Be wary of overhead hazards, a large impact (like a cornice failure - see avalanche summary) could trigger the slope below. Keep in mind if this layer is triggered, it will likely produce large avalanches. This problem does not exist in the south of the region.
MONDAY NIGHT: Rain and wet snow, 5-15 cm / Moderate, gusty southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -1 / Freezing level 2000 m
TUESDAY: Wet flurries and showers, trace to 5 cm / Moderate, gusty southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature +1 / Freezing level dropping to 1500 m
WEDNESDAY: Isolated flurries, trace to 10 cm / Light southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -3 / Freezing level 1000 m
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -4 / Freezing level 1000 m
On Saturday, a few wet loose avalanches to size 2 were observed from steep rocky features in the sun. Outside of a few other small wet loose avalanches from steep terrain, there have been no avalanche observations since last Wednesday (Nov 2) when a widespread wet loose avalanche cycle up to size 2 was triggered by warming.
Of note to consider in the Duffy area: A notable avalanche occurred last Tuesday (Nov 1) when a large size 3 natural avalanche was observed on a NE aspect at 2400 m. It was reported as a cornice failure triggering the slope below and appeared to have slid on the early November crust near the base of the snowpack.
Have you been out and about in the mountains? If so please submit to the Mountain Information Network (MIN). It doesn't have to be technical it can be as simple as a photo. Photos are especially helpful! Sending out a big thank you to the already submitted MIN's this season. Thanks everyone!
Rain and warm temperatures produced moist snow to 1800 m. Above the rain/snow line, Wind is impacting 5-10 cm new snow accumulated by Monday afternoon.
Prior to the storm, a melt-freeze crust covered most surfaces. A variety of wind affected surfaces covered more northerly, alpine terrain. Large surface hoar growth was observed around treeline, but this may have been destroyed by this wet and warm storm.
The lower snowpack is characterized by a few crusts that formed during warm periods in November.
