Strong westerly wind combined with up to 20 cm of new snow has likely formed storm slabs which will be most problematic near ridge crest. The weak & highly variable snowpack likley needs time to adjust. Conservative terrain selection is prudent Monday.
Very little is known about some of the crusts in the lower snowpack at this time, but current riding conditions are likely to push folks into the alpine where there is potential for riders to initiate avalanches failing on one of the more deeply buried crusts.
The weekend storm produced 10 to 20 cm of snow accompanied by strong west, southwest & northwest wind which likley formed widespread storm slabs in the north of the region. These slabs rest on a variety of weak layers which will likely keep them susceptible to human triggering Monday, especially in bigger terrain near ridge crest.
After a stormy weekend we’re transitioning to clearing skies, colder temperatures and no significant precipitation for the foreseeable future.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Freezing level dropping to valley bottom, light west/northwest wind, trace of snow possible.
MONDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light NW breeze, no significant precipitation expected.
TUESDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light variable breeze, no significant precipitation expected.
WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate east wind, no significant precipitation expected.
We received a report of a skier controlled avalanche on a north facing alpine feature in the central portion of the region late Sunday. The size 2 wind slab avalanche was about 20 cm deep. Other than that, no recent avalanche activity has been reported. There may have been a natural avalanche cycle Saturday night into Sunday in the northern portion of the region. If you were out this weekend please let us know what you were seeing on the MIN!
Winter is slowly creeping down to the valley. Snowpack depths range from about 10 to 120 cm. The weekend storm produced 10 to 20 cm of snow accompanied by strong west, southwest & northwest wind. Storm snow accumulations are greatest in the north of the region.
The young snowpack is highly variable due to previous wind transport and areas of shallow snow which are highly faceted. Most treeline and below treeline areas are probably below threshold for avalanches at this time. A potentially problematic melt freeze crust from late October can be found above basal facets in the lower snowpack. There's a great "pre-weekend-storm" summary of current conditions in the Golden area here.
