Start on small slopes and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
The avalanche danger is based on new snow not bonding well to the old surface.
In wind exposed areas, avalanches will be more likely on north and east facing slopes. In sheltered areas, the likelihood of avalanches will depend on how a potentially weak layer of facets or surface hoar reacts to the new load.
No new avalanches have been reported.
Early season observations are very limited. Please consider sharing your observations with forecasters and the backcountry community through the Mountain Information Network.
New snow falling with moderate southwest wind could form reactive windslabs in leeward terrain.
In the alpine and exposed areas at treeline, this new snow is falling on hard, wind-affected surfaces. In lower elevation sheltered trees, it will cover weak surface hoar and facets.
The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong, with some crusts near the base.
Snow depths vary significantly across the region, with about 50 cm at treeline and up to 100 cm in alpine areas.
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow expected. 25-35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17°C, temperature inversion with -10°C above 1600 m.
Monday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7°C, temperature inversion with -5°C above 1800 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 3 to 7 cm of snow expected. 25 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12°C, temperature inversion with -5°C above 1800 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow expected. 45 to 70 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline high 2 °C in potential above freezing layer.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
