Assess conditions as you gain elevation. Slopes at upper elevations that are above threshold for avalanches may have formed rider triggerable wind slabs.
New snow accompanied by Southerly winds will likely form rider triggerable wind slabs at upper elevations. The largest and most reactive slabs will be found in the alpine on north and west aspects.
We expect that avalanche activity will increase at upper elevations with the arrival of fresh snow.
Please help out your backcountry community by submitting a MIN report if you head out to the backcountry.
A dusting of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust at treeline and alpine elevations. It is possible to find surface hoar over this crust in some locations. Wet snow or dirt exist below treeline.
Various buried melt-freeze crusts are found throughout the snowpack.
Treeline snow depth generally ranges from 50 to 120 cm. Snow depth diminishes rapidly below 1000 m.
Check out this great MIN that describes conditions well.
Monday Night
Cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -2°C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of new snow expected, southeast ridgetop wind 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -2°C.
Wednesday
Cloud clearing throughout the day, up to 5 cm of new snow expected in the morning, south ridgetop wind 15 to 25 km/h, freezing level around 1200 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with up to 10 mm of mixed precipitation, southwest ridgetop wind 20 to 40 km/h, freezing level rising to 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
