Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with moderate westerlies. Freezing levels at valley bottom. 

MONDAY: Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 cm of accumulation. Moderate to strong westerly winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom. Alpine highs of -8. 

TUESDAY: Partially cloudy with isolated flurries. Strong northwest winds at ridgetop, freezing levels at valley bottom. Alpine highs of -12. 

WEDNESDAY: Snow returns Tuesday night with moderate accumulations. Freezing levels rise to 1000m. 

Yesterday, small loose dry avalanches were observed out of steep sheltered terrain features. Size 1-1.5 wind slab avalanches were observed in immediate lee features at ridge crest. 

Note there are very few field observations this early in the season. If you head out this weekend, please share your observations and/or photos on the Mountain Information Network!

15-30 cm of new snow sits on top of a thick rain crust on all aspects below 2400m. Westerly winds will continue to redistribute this new snow into wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. 

Previously, the mid-November rain crust could be found 20-30 cm above the ground. It is likely heavy rain has begun to break down this crust at treeline and below, and created a cohesive refrozen snowpack with the thick rain crust at the surface. 

Snowpack depths range from 10-80 cm at treeline elevations. Higher elevations may hold a deeper snowpack, but will also be more heavily impacted by recent winds. Rain has washed away the snowpack below 1900m. 

• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.