The region has just received well over a metre of snow, and destructive avalanches are still a real possibility. Give the snowpack time to gain strength before pushing into steep terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Sunday evening: 8-15cm of new snow / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 900m. Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northwest winds / Freezing level at 900m. Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southwest winds / Freezing level at 1000m. Wednesday: 5-15cm of new snow / Light to moderate south winds / Freezing level at 1100m.
Avalanche Summary
In recent days, widespread storm slab avalanche activity was triggered naturally or with explosives. Most of the avalanches observed were in the size 2 range; however, a few size 3 and 3.5 avalanches were observed running in large, lee alpine features. With ongoing snow and wind on Sunday afternoon, I'd be on the look-out for continued storm slab activity, especially in higher elevation lee terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Snow depths have increased rapidly over the past week bringing treeline snow depths to about 200 cm. Much of this recent storm snow has settled and gained significant strength. That said, ongoing wind and snowfall have created large and reactive storm slabs which appear to be especially touchy in higher, wind-exposed terrain. Stormy weather also also encouraged significant cornice growth, and new cornices are reported to be unseasonably large and fragile. Over a metre below the surface you'll find the thick mid-November crust. The reports we've received suggest a reasonable bond at this interface; however, I'd remain suspicious of this layer until the snowpack adjusts to the weight of all of the new snow. This may take a few more days. Below the crust, the snowpack is strong and well-settled.
jlammers,
Avalanche Canada
