Use caution. The slopes with the best riding and travel conditions will have the highest avalanche danger.
Rocks and stumps are barely buried.
Check out our early season blog.
New snow is falling on a thin, early season snowpack. Avalanches are most likely where existing snow has smoothed out rough ground surfaces, or where wind has formed deeper pockets of reactive slab.
No avalanches have been reported in the region yet this season. Please consider filling out a MIN report if you are out in the backcountry.
10-20 cm of storm snow has buried the variety of surfaces currently covering the mountains. A buried crust likely exists on all but high north terrain. In sheltered features surface hoar can be found above this crust. The recent snow may not be enough to overload the surface hoar, but deeper, windloaded features at treeline may be more reactive that you expect.
Snow depths throughout the region range from about 30 to 60 cm at treeline, increasing with elevation. Some wind loaded spots may hold up to 90 cm.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. Possible trace of snow. Moderate to strong west or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -7°C.
Sunday
Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected. Strong to Extreme southwest ridgetop wind. freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy. Light snow or rain expected. Moderate to strong south or southwest ridgetop wind. Varied freezing levels (1250 to 2000 m) and possible above freezing layers across the forecast area.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. Light to moderate rain expected (5-20mm). Freezing level at 2500 m, falling to 1750 over the day. Strong southwest ridgetop wind.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
