If you're brave enough to endure the cold make sure to keep in mind our buried weak layer.
Cold temperatures and shorter days should play a role in your trip plan.
Wind slab could be found on all aspects in the alpine. These slabs could be more reactive where they overlie facets. If triggered the likelihood of large avalanches being produced is high if they "step down" to the buried weak layers.
A layer of surface hoar, facets and, a crust from mid november is buried around 40 cm deep but can be found down as much as 80 cm. This layer is most likely to be rider triggerable on slopes at treeline where the snow above feels stiff and consolidated. Avalanche activity on this layer has been decreasing over the week but it's not likely to go away with the continuing cold temperatures.
At this writing, no new avalanches have been reported in the last 24 hours.
The mid-November layer is still a layer of concern and has the potential to produce large destructive avalanches. Cold temperatures and little snowfall are not likely going to help heal this layer.
In the alpine and at treeline, wind slabs and up to 10 cm of low-density snow make up the top layer of the snowpack. This overlies a variety of surfaces, ranging from hard old wind slabs at upper elevations to soft, unconsolidated facets in sheltered areas.
The main layer of concern is the mid-November layer, which is made up of either surface hoar, facets, or crusts. It is now buried 40 to 80 cm deep. Avalanche activity on this layer has tapered off but it is likely still possible to trigger this layer in isolated terrain features near treeline.
Alpine snowpack distribution is variable, with depths ranging from 70 to 140 cm.
Monday Night
Clear, no accumulation, 10 km/h west wind, temperature -28 C at 1500 m.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, 10 km/h east winds, temperature -25 C at 1500 m.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods, no accumulation, 15 km/h northeast wind, temperature -32 C at 1500 m.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, no accumulation, 10 km/h southeast winds, -25 to - 30 C at 1500 m..
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
