North Columbia

Choose small, low consequence slopes.

Storm slabs will likely remain sensitive to rider traffic due to the surface hoar beneath.

On Saturday numerous storm slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported. These avalanches were predominantly on north aspects at treeline but some also occurred on south aspects and at lower elevations. The surface hoar layer mentioned in the snowpack summary was the failure plane for these avalanches.

Several dry loose avalanches up to size 2 were also reported.

Over the past few days the wind has come from the southwest and then shifted to the northwest, wind effect could be found on all aspects.

Up to 50 cm of storm snow from Friday and Saturday overlies a variety of surfaces including a sun crust on steep south aspects and large Surface hoar in sheltered terrain.

The mid snowpack is generally well settled, with an early November crust buried 80 to 130 cm deep.

Snowpack depths taper rapidly below treeline.

Sunday Night

Mix of cloud and clear skies with trace amounts of snow possible. 15 to 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow possible. 25 to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny in the morning and increasing cloud in the afternoon with no snow expected. 25 to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind shifting to southwest in the afternoon. Treeline temperature -7°C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of snow expected. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.