The early season snowpack is shallow and weak. At higher elevations expect to find isolated areas of avalanche hazard. Be wary of the consequences of even a small avalanche when exposed to steep terrain and/or terrain traps.
Weather Forecast
Arctic high pressure has anchored into the area giving cold, clear skies with no precipitation. Winds should be light to very light for the next couple of day with Alpine temperatures climbing to -15 degrees on Thursday.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new.
Snowpack Summary
Little wind effect observed in Alpine and Treeline areas. Snowpack remains below threshold at lower elevations. The November rain crust is 4 to 5cm thick at treeline and is buried down 10 to 15cm. An October rain crust is also evident at the base of the snowpack.
Problems
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
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.