South Columbia

Wind slabs may remain reactive in alpine terrain, particularly on steep slopes around ridgetops.

A few wet loose avalanches up to size 2 have been reported throughout the region over the last 3 days, all on south-facing terrain. These likely occurred during periods of strong solar and/or above-freezing alpine temperatures.

Surface conditions vary from wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, and settling snow in sheltered areas. Surface hoar development is widespread and a crust has formed on steeper slopes exposed to the sun.

Buried surface hoar can be found 5 to 20 cm deep.

The mid snowpack is generally well settled, with an early November crust buried 50 to 100 cm deep.

Snow depths at treeline are roughly 80 to 150 cm, and decreases rapidly at lower elevations.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear with a chance of valley cloud. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C, with a chance of warmer alpine temperatures in some local areas.

Saturday

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.