If you can travel on mellow terrain and ridgelines to get above the rain line and find lines that are sheltered from wind, you'll be rewarded with good riding and lower avalanche danger.
Fresh snow and moderate to strong southwest wind may be creating fresh slabs. Expect these slabs to be deeper and more reactive on leeward slopes.
In some places, new snow will be followed immediately by rain. If you are encountering soaked, heavy snow on the surface, loose wet avalanches will be likely.
No avalanches have been reported in the region over the past few days, but observations are limited.
Looking forward to Monday, we expect that new snow, wind, and rain will make human triggered avalanches likely in some terrain.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo or two.
Up to 20 cm of new snow and moderate to strong southwest wind may be forming reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes. West of Terrace, there may be even more snow overnight, but it is also expected to be followed by rain in the morning.
Wind has varied in direction over the past few days. Expect most exposed slopes to be wind-affected.
A mid-November surface hoar layer is buried 30 to 40 cm deep in sheltered treeline terrain.
Below 1400 m, a 2 to 10 cm rain crust sits 40 to 60 cm down.
Above treeline, the snowpack is roughly 200 cm, tapering steadily with elevation to around 30 cm at valley bottom, where many early-season hazards remain just below the surface.
Check out this great MIN for more info.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30-50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Average treeline temperature -2 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 35-45 km/h west ridgetop wind. Average treeline temperature 0 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Average treeline temperature -2 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 10 cm of snow at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
