Sea To Sky

New snow will continue to bury a potential weak layer. Test how the new snow is bonding before increasing your exposure.

On Tuesday a period of sun and warming triggered numerous small (size 1) small wet loose avalanches, confined to steep south-facing terrain.

On Monday, a few small (size 1) wind slab avalanches where reported to have occurred on isolated steep terrain features that are adjacent to ridge crests.

If you're heading out into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.

Up to 15 cm of new snow overlies weak surface hoar and facets and may not be bonding well to old surfaces. A brief period of sun and warming has created a thin crust on steep south-to-west slopes, while wind-exposed features are smooth and hard.

A firm early-November crust lies 30–100 cm down with facets above and below; it isn’t a problem yet but could produce large avalanches with incoming snow. Expect 50–150 cm of snow at treeline and alpine, decreasing rapidly below 1600 m.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 25 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
• Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.