Continued snowfall with strong winds overnight will increase the danger at all elevations Monday. Plenty of reports of avalanche activity and a couple close calls over the last two days mean this is a good time to stay out of avalanche terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Strong SW winds accompanied by moderate snowfall amounts should continue through Sunday night with snowfall amounts of 10-15 cm. Temperatures will remain in the -5 to -10'C range. The winds and snowfall start easing Monday morning with temperatures cooling, then remaining steady until a slight rise on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Strong SW winds with 5-15cm of new snow in the last 24 hours are creating slabs in lee areas at treeline and above which are reactive to skiers. The snowpack at treeline is from 60-90 cm deep across the region. The main feature in the snowpack is a buried layer of facets now down 30 to 50 cm and sitting on the Halloween crust in areas below 2700m.
Avalanche Summary
Continued reports of natural and skier triggered avalanche activity on Sunday. Local ski hills reported easily triggered wind slabs and persistent slabs up to size 2 with ski cutting and explosives. Several reports of natural avalanches in back country areas around Bow Summit and Emerald Lake, and one
avalanche incident on Mt Crowfoot.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday