Watch for wind slab development in alpine areas on Friday as winds increase.
Recent snowfall (5–15 cm) is available for wind transport. Strengthening winds on Friday will likely form small wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine. These slabs may be consequential for climbers and skiers in very steep terrain.
No new natural avalanches observed or reported on Wednesday.
Limited early-season observations suggest a generally well-settled Rockies snowpack with no significant weak layers. Last week’s warm, wet weather produced a Nov 13 rain crust up to 2300 m. In the short term, this crust adds stability. 5–15 cm of dry snow lies at treeline and above, with (so far) little wind transport reported. Overall, early-season travel conditions are good, with treeline snow depths of 40–70 cm.
No snow for Friday, but increasing SW winds (40-60 km/h in the alpine), freezing levels to 1700m, and treeline temperatures staying around -5C.
Click here for Environment Canada links to weather tables for the region.
