Weather Forecast
Overnight and Monday: An upper ridge of HIGH pressure will cause temperatures in the alpine to dip to about -16.0 overnight. An inversion is expected to develop in the alpine during the day which may cause temperatures to be near zero at ridge tops with cloud in the valleys. Clear skies may cause some solar warming on steep Southwest thru West aspects. Light Northerly winds and no precipitation.Tuesday: Continued mostly clear skies and valley cloud. Light Northerly winds and no precipitation.Wednesday: The upper ridge is expected to continue dominate the region. Mostly clear skies, light winds, and no precipitation are expected.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported.
Snowpack Summary
New snow combined with wind has formed fresh wind slabs on the surface and/or buried newly formed surface hoar in sheltered, open areas at and below tree line. The mid-pack is reported to be well settled. There has been a recent report of the early November crust (near the base of the snowpack) being reactive. It's important to note that professionals are still cautious about this lingering persistent slab problem, however the likelihood of triggering is low. Be wary of steep complex terrain with a shallow snowpack, where triggering a persistent weakness is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.