Summary
Confidence
Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday
Weather Forecast
Thursday: The region will be under the influence of a Westerly zonal flow. This will bring cooler temperatures, mainly cloudy skies and continuous light-moderate snow, alpine temps -10, ridgetop winds SE 30km/hr. Friday through Saturday: A weak low pressure system moves into the region bringing moderate snow, ridgetop winds NW 15 km/hr, and alpine temps near -11.
Avalanche Summary
Recent reports of several isolated loose dry sluffs from steep terrain features. For a bit more information in the Hankin Area, check out the
Regional Forum Posts.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slab instabilities are likely to exist in the upper snowpack at treeline and in the alpine. They may be touchy to rider triggers, especially on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. Treeline depths range between 90-125 cm, but highly variable in the alpine with deep wind drifts and scoured slopes in exposed areas. At treeline spotty, isolated areas of surface hoar growth exists (up to 3mm). This is most likely buried down 15-20 cm under the recent storm snow. Snowpack tests on a SE aspect around 1400m showed CTH (resistant "pop") on an old facet layer 55 cm down, and a rutschblock score of 5. Generally, the mid-pack is gaining strength and possibly even bridging the persistent weakness below.Digging down deeper is the early November facet/crust deep persistent layer. This crust sits near the base of the snowpack down 80-130 cm. Test results on this layer earlier this week produced hard results ("drops"). I have no current observations to suggest the snow above or below this interface is gaining strength, or weakening.