A strong surface or near-surface crust has reduced the likelihood of triggering an avalanche, use caution anywhere the crust is absent or thin and weak.
At higher elevations, where small amounts of new snow have accumulated and a crust at or just below the surface may not exist, ongoing wind slab formation has likely occurred.
A crust buried deep in the snowpack has proven reactive to large loads, particularly in steep, exposed terrain. A small wind slab avalanche triggered above may be enough of a load to step down to this deeper layer.
No avalanche activity has been reported since the warm and wet storm earlier this week.
If you've been out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.
Trace amounts of new snow now overlie a widespread melt–freeze crust that is likely present on all aspects and elevations, though some high-alpine terrain may remain crust-free.
A mid-November crust is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. Beneath it, the snowpack contains several additional crust layers, and in some locations, a weak, sugary facet layer exists near the ground.
At treeline, snow depths range from roughly 50 to 100 cm, tapering off quickly at lower elevations.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. Trace amounts of snow at treeline. 90 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
