Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Overcast with light to moderate southwest winds and 3-5 cm of new snow overnight. Light snow combined with moderate northwest winds on Saturday. Another 3-5 cm on Sunday as the winds become more westerly. Clear and cold on Monday as the arctic air strengthens after the weekend weather moves to the east.

No new avalanches reported from this region.

The recent storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, and others report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.