Low hazard doesn't mean no hazard. As you transition from melt-freeze conditions to dry snow, lookout for rogue wind-loaded pockets in lee features. And be wary of moist or wet snow under a hot sun.
At upper elevations where snow dry snow prevails (sheltered upper treeline and alpine terrain), winds have redistributed dry snow forming pockets of wind slabs in lee features and below ridgelines.
A crust exists near the base of the snowpack. We have a lack of decisive data on this layer so we're keeping it on our radar for now. While it's been showing some results in snowpack tests in some areas, most reports describe an improving bond to the overlying snow. Potential for full depth avalanches may exist in areas where weak, sugary facets overly this crust, especially in areas of smooth ground cover such as scree slopes, grassy slopes, or rock slabs.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy patches / Moderate, south ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -5 / Light inversion, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny / Moderate, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 1400 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -3 / Freezing level 1400 m.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5-15 cm / Light, gusty southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 1300 m.
No recent avalanches reported on Thursday or Friday.
Last Wednesday, numerous loose wet avalanches were reported from NE slopes above 2000 m. These avalanches were up to size 1.5 with no significant propagation.
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 a big thank you to the already submitted MIN's this season. Thanks everyone!
Recent sun and warm air in the alpine likely had the greatest impact on the upper snowpack, melt-freeze conditions exist on most slopes including solar alpine features. In more shaded terrain at upper elevations where dry snow has prevailed, pockets of wind slab may be found on leeward slopes and below ridges. New surface hoar formation can be found at treeline and below where it is protected from the warm temperatures, sunshine and wind.
Treeline snowpack depths sit around 50 to 80 cm in the south of the region.
Crusts from mid-and early-November are generally found 30 cm below the snow surface and 10 cm up from the ground at all elevations. While they are showing resistant planar results in snowpack tests, a lot of uncertainty still exists with limited observations.
