Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in the region. Observations are limited at this time of year, if you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN report.

On Friday winds quickly impacted up to 15 cm fresh snow. Accumulation totals quickly tapered with elevation.

A weak drought layer is down 20-50 cm. This layer consists of hard, wind-affected snow in the alpine, surface hoar or facetted snow in sheltered areas, and a crust on solar aspects and at low elevations. Below this drought layer, several other facet-crust interfaces exist in the snowpack.

Typical snow depth ranges from 50-100 cm in the alpine and 40-60 cm at treeline. Expect early season conditions and rugged travel. Below treeline is below the threshold for avalanches.

Friday night

Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light west wind increasing overnight, treeline temperatures below -5 C, freezing level dropping below 1000 m.

Saturday

Snowfall and wind will intensify throughout the day. Up to 10 cm accumulating by 4 pm Saturday as south-southwesterly winds increase to strong. Alpine high -4 C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Snowfall and extreme winds are expected overnight, with up to 25 cm of new snow by morning. Convective flurries may continue through the day. West wind decreasing to moderate, treeline temperatures dropping to -10 C, and freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Cold, with a mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southerly wind, treeline lows down to -20 C, and freezing level valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.