The north wind and cold continue. Expect the past 80 cm of storm snow to be easily transported. The avalanche danger is heightened in the alpine.
Both north and south wind have transported available snow. Wind slabs will be found on all aspects. Use caution when entering terrain below ridgelines.
The past week's storm snow is forming a slab that may not bond well to the underlying snowpack. The layer of concern formed mid-November is composed of faceted grains, surface hoar, and a hard crust and can be found down 40 to 80 cm.
Reports from an observation flight on Monday over the Sentinel pass indicate that a past natural storm slab avalanche cycle occurred in steep rocky terrain only. Avalanches in this cycle were up to size 2.5 (very large).
Observation of windslabs naturally triggered have been reported on north aspect terrain between 1350 m and 1450 m, likely occurring on the reported melt-freeze crust.
Please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network to help us and fellow recreationists.
The storm last week delivered to this region between 40 to 80 cm of new snow. Winds were strong from the southwest during this event, and terrain exposed to this wind has been stripped with new snow building into wind slabs on north aspects.
During the past storm event a period of warming brought rain up to nearly 1500 m and now a melt-freeze crust can be found down 70 cm.
During mid-November, a period of cooling temperatures created a weak layer above the 1200-meter mark and can be found down 80 cm.
Average snowfall depths are around 20 to 60 cm below the treeline and 100 to 120 cm in the alpine.
Tuesday Night
Low-pressure east of the region will bring light precipitation with greater amounts in the eastern zone. Temperatures are expected to continue to slowly cool as the overarching arctic high is strong.
Cloudy with light flurries, accumulation 1 to 5 cm, 30 to 40 km/h east wind, treeline temperature -25 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with light flurries, accumulation 1 to 5 cm, 50 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -27 °C.
ThursdayMostly cloudy with light flurries 1 to 2 cm of snow, 30 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -30 °C.
FridayMostly cloudy with very light flurries, accumulation 1 cm, 10 km/h northwest wind, treeline temperature -30 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
