Wind slabs will be reactive at upper elevations. Given how uncertain conditions are, avoid big terrain at this time.
Warmer temperatures are rapidly settling the storm snow (15-25 cm), but strong winds continued to develop wind slabs near ridge tops. These slabs will be especially deep on leeward features on north aspects.
Precipitation will ease further Sunday night. A brief break is expected Monday before snowfalls intensify rapidly with the approach of the next intense storm Tuesday and Wednesday.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy / Strong southwesterly winds / Low of -10 / Freezing level lowering to 300 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy with flurries 3-5 cm / Moderate, southwesterly winds / High of -8 / Freezing level around 300 m.
TUESDAY: Snow/rain; 15-30 cm / Extreme, southwesterly winds / High of -1 / Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
WEDNESDAY: Snow/rain; 10-15 cm / Strong, southwesterly winds / High of -5 / Freezing level rising to 1000 m.
No new avalanches were observed in the last 24h due to poor visibility, despite the significant snowfalls and extreme wind at upper elevations. If you go out in the mountains, please post your observations and/or photos to the Mountain Information Network!
15-25 cm of new snow and strong southwesterly winds have formed reactive slabs sitting on a hard crust. Warmer temperatures are rapidly settling the storm snow, but strong winds continued to develop wind slabs near ridge tops. These slabs will be especially deep on leeward features on north aspects.
A crust formed in early November has been reported down 80-120 cm. There has been some evidence of large avalanches running on this crust. This will be a layer to monitor throughout the season.
Treeline snow depths are estimated to be 100-150 cm.
