Natural avalanche activity has tapered off, but human-triggering remains a concern. It is still early season and the snowpack is weak and shallow, so be mindful of hazards such as rock and stumps.
Confidence
Fair - Due to the number and quality of field observations
Weather Forecast
Cool temps and windy conditions will persist until later on Tuesday when alpine areas should reach -10 celsius. Wednesday will see a high of -5 celsius with light to moderate westerly winds. No precipitation is expected for at least the next 5 days.
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity has tapered off significantly. Avalanche control on EEOR today produced several size 1.5 slab avalanches. Propagation of these slabs was limited, but most did step down to the basal layers.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack continues to settle. Wind prone areas at treeline and above have experienced extensive wind effect and significant wind slab development, and this condition will likely continue overnight Monday and into Tuesday. The November rain crust remains prominent at the base of the snowpack and is a layer of concern.
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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.