Generally good early season conditions exist, with the best skiing being on sheltered areas above treeline. Watch for early season hazards, and the effects of solar warming in the afternoon.
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will hold over the region today. A TROWAL is expected to move into the area later this afternoon in advance of a series of pacific frontal systems, bringing up to 10 mm of precipitation to the area on Wednesday and Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
The storm slab is most reactive where it overlies a sun crust down ~30cm on steep solar aspects in the alpine. The Nov 6 crust is down 80-120cm with facets around the crust. Results vary; sudden planar-collapse; Comp test easy- deep tap test hard.
Avalanche Summary
Small solar cycle yesterday afternoon to size 1.5/2. Otherwise all quiet (so far).
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday
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.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.