Avalanches are possible at upper elevations where dry new snow fell.
Travelling conditions are tricky where a thick surface crust is present.
Continually assess conditions as you travel.
New snow is found at upper elevations. While amounts are uncertain, newly formed wind slabs may exist on wind-loaded alpine and lee treeline features.
On Friday, continued evidence of a widespread wet cycle, with numerous natural avalanches (up to size 3) in the surrounding terrain of Castle Mountain. Rider-triggered wet loose avalanches (up to size 1.5) were also reported.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing conditions via the MIN.
By Sunday morning, up to 15 cm of new snow may have fallen at upper elevations. This will overlay a developing melt-freeze crust and/or wet surface snow.
Below this, 30 to 50 cm of wet snow sits above a crust, which is slowly breaking down.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated with early-season crusts deep in the snowpack.
The snowpack rapidly diminishes at lower elevations and is moist or saturated to the ground in most areas.
As freezing levels drop, a widespread crust will form on all aspects at all elevations.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Monday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
