Rider-triggered avalanches will be possible as snow accumulates atop a widespread crust, or in areas where the crust is thin, weak, or absent.
Storm slab avalanches are most likely in areas where a crust at or just below the surface is unsupportive (does not hold your weight) or where no crust exists.
No recent avalanche activity has been reported since the warm and wet storm earlier this week.
If you've been out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.
Up to 10 cm of snow in places has buried a widespread melt–freeze crust that varies in thickness and strength with elevation. Beneath this crust, the snow remains moist due to the recent warm and wet weather. Some alpine areas or regions that received less rain may remain crust-free.
A mid-November crust, with facets or surface hoar above it, is now buried 50 to 100 cm deep.
The lower snowpack is generally well settled and bonded.
Snowpack depth at treeline ranges from roughly 90 to 160 cm, but decreases quickly at lower elevations, leaving many below-treeline slopes without sufficient snow coverage to produce avalanches.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Cloudy. 20 to 30 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
