Elevated avalanche danger may exist in your local riding area, so be alert to changes in the snowpack at higher elevations. If you were out this weekend please send your observations to the Mountain Information Network. Give info, get info.
Weather Forecast
The arctic front dominates the province bringing some of the coldest temperatures of the season. Some light snow accumulations can be expected overnight and into tomorrow. Alpine temperatures will dip to -20 accompanied by light winds from the east. The weather pattern will likely start to change Thursday afternoon as the next pacific frontal system tracks onto the south coast. The battle between the cold arctic air and the warm pacific air will bring cloudy unsettled conditions and new snowfall amounts.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations have been reported. New storm slabs may be touchy to rider triggers and loose dry sluffs from stepper slopes may have the potential to knock you off your feet, so watch for terrain traps below.
Snowpack Summary
Fresh storm snow 25-30 cm has fallen on old, stiff wind slabs and may have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces. Early season snowpack observations are still limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Kananaskis Country to the north and Waterton to the south of the region is currently reporting 30-50 cm of snow overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.