Shady slopes offer the best snow, but watch out for new wind slabs that may have formed at higher elevations.
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY OVERNIGHT: Cloudy with light precipitation in the north of the region, accumulation 0 to 3 mm across the region, moderate to strong southwesterly winds, freezing level around 2500 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy, light to moderate southwesterly winds, freezing level around 3000 m with inversion conditions.MONDAY: Mostly sunny, moderate southwesterly winds, freezing level around 3700 m with inversion conditions.TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, light to moderate southerly winds, freezing level around 2200 m with inversion conditions.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on Thursday or Friday. Numerous small to large loose wet avalanches up to size 2 were observed on solar aspects on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Warm air temperatures and clear skies have created surface crusts on south-facing slopes at higher elevations. Moderate wind speeds from the south may have produced new localized wind slabs on northerly lee features. Wind slabs are expected to be found in areas without surface crusts, where loose snow was available to be transported by the wind. Surface hoar up to 10 mm and near-surface faceting have been noted at and near treeline in shady locations. The snow from last week is settling and generally bonding well to the late-November rain crusts. Cornices may be weakening with the continuing warm air temperatures.
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.