Due to the lack of snowpack and avalanche data, we are currently unable to issue danger ratings for this region. If you're in the mountains, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network.
Weather Forecast
The Pacific low continues to intensify off the coast bringing some precipitation and strong winds to the Interior regions. The surface low sitting east of the Rockies will drive unsettled conditions bringing continued snow and wind Sunday and Monday.Friday: Cloudy, freezing levels valley bottom, snow amounts 2-5 cm, ridgetop winds strong from the west.Saturday: Cloudy, freezing levels valley bottom, snow amounts 5-10 cm, ridgetop winds strong from the west.Sunday: Some model disagreement bringing unsettled conditions. Snow amounts 5-10 cm with moderate - strong winds from the northwest.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations have been reported.
Snowpack Summary
Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches is expected to have been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Limited reports suggest snow surfaces at higher elevations are wind-affected. This suggests wind slabs should be on your radar as you gain elevation. Kananaskis Country to the north of the region is currently reporting that 30-40 cm of snow is now overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies.
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.