The snowpack has shown recent instability in the alpine. Conservative travel and being on high-alert is important to manage early-season uncertainties.
Use caution where snow has accumulated to the point where the snow surface appears smooth. In these locations, snow that overlies a melt-freeze crust has the potential of sliding.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy skies, light to moderate west wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level below valley bottom.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with afternoon snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, moderate to strong west wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1200 m.
SUNDAY: Morning snowfall and afternoon clearing, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, moderate to strong west wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1300 m.
MONDAY: Partly cloudy skies, light west wind, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level below valley bottom.
Numerous storm slab avalanches were observed across the region on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is likely that they were sliding on the melt-freeze crust described in the snowpack summary.
Observations are limited right now, with recreationists starting to get into the mountains and operations soon to open. If you see anything while out in the field, please consider sharing that information with us and fellow recreationists via the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
The snowpack is highly variable in the mountains this early in the season. The snowline starts at about 1500 m. At around 1650 m, you may find about 40 cm of snow. As you move higher into the alpine, you could find between 50 and 100 cm of snow.
Two melt-freeze crusts exist in the middle and near the bottom of the snowpack. There is uncertainty with how the snow is bonding to these crusts, and they may act as a sliding layer for snow above them. This requires conservative travel and being on high-alert to manage the uncertainty.
