Dry snow and lack of wind has made for good skiing. If the winds increase from light to moderate you may find touchy storm slabs in wind affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Sunny / Light-moderate northwesterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -18 C.Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southerly winds / Average temperature at treeline -15 C.Thursday: Cloudy with flurries / Light easterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -15 C.
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, numerous natural and skier triggered size 1-1.5 loose dry avalanches were reported throughout the region.
Snowpack Summary
Much of the region received 10-15 cm of new snow with locally higher amounts (30-45 cm) around Fernie. So far this new snow has fallen with no wind and made for great skiing. If winds increase, expect touchy soft slabs to form in wind affected terrain. This new snow is sitting on top of a mixture of surface hoar and weak surface facets which means the storm snow could become quite reactive when it settles into a slab. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 120-170 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
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.