Assess steep slopes for fresh wind slabs before committing & be mindful that deep instabilities still exist in the snowpack.
Seek out good riding in sheltered terrain with no wind effect.
New snow and wind may form fresh wind slabs in leeward terrain. Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation, be extra cautious if you observe blowing snow.
Triggering an avalanche on the mid-November persistent weak layer remains possible above 2100 m.
This layer may require a larger load like a sled, cornice fall or wind slab stepping down to collapse it.
No slab avalanches have been observed in the region since last Saturday.
Looking forward, we expect fresh wind slabs may be triggerable on Friday
If you are travelling in the mountains, please submit any observations to the Mountain Information Network.
10 to 15 cm of snow recently fell in the region, and an additional 5 to 10 cm is expected overnight. The new snow, combined with forecast moderate southwesterly winds, may form wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations.
A persistent weak layer from mid-November, made up of a thick crust with overlying facets, and in some cases surface hoar, remains a concern. In eastern parts of the region, it is buried 70–110 cm deep, and up to 180 cm in western areas with a deeper snowpack. In most areas, faceted grains overlie the crust.
Depth hoar is present at the base of the snowpack.
Thursday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow, highest amounts for the southern parts of the region. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Friday
Cloudy. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 5 cm of snow Friday night. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
