It's early in the season but there is more than enough snow for avalanches. 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
Unsettled conditions are expected for Monday in advance of a storm system. A mix of sun and cloud is expected in the morning and light snowfall is possible in the afternoon. Freezing levels should stay below 1500m and alpine winds are forecast to be moderate to strong from the SW. A Pacific storm system will interact with cold Arctic air late Monday resulting in snowfall throughout the region for Monday night and Tuesday. Around 10cm of snowfall is forecast from the storm system. Freezing levels are expected to be lower than valley bottom during the storm and alpine winds are forecast to switch from SW to NW. By Wednesday morning, cold Arctic air becomes the dominant feature for the foreseeable future.
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 around 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.