It's early in the season but there is more than enough snow for avalanches. New snowfall on Tuesday may create new avalanche problems. If you are out in the mountains, please post your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Confidence
Poor - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
A weak storm system reaches the region late Monday. 10-15cm of snowfall is expected by the end of the day with freezing levels around valley bottom. Alpine winds are expected to be moderate to strong and will shift from SW to NE by the end of the storm. An Arctic high pressure system will replace the storm on Wednesday. Sunny and dry conditions are expected with freezing levels below valley bottom and moderate to strong NE winds in the alpine. Thursday should be much the same with dry, cold, and sunny conditions but alpine winds should be light.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported. If you are out in the mountains, please send us your observations.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack observations have been very limited as the season commences. Initial reports suggest that there is enough snow above around 1700m for avalanches to occur. A thick surface crust exists to at least treeline elevation. The snowfall on Monday night coupled with strong winds is expected to form new winds slabs in exposed terrain in the alpine and potentially at treeline. The underlying crust may increase the likelihood of triggering a wind slab avalanche.
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.