Clearwater

Match your objectives to the rugged, shallow snowpack at lower elevations.

Watch for isolated pockets of wind slab at upper elevations.

No recent avalanches have been reported, but observations are limited at this time of year. Please consider posting a MIN if you are heading out in the backcountry!

Up to 10 cm of new snow covers faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered areas, firm wind-affected snow in open areas, and a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. A supportive melt-freeze crust from mid-November is buried 20–30 cm down and is present up to about 2200 m.

Snow depths at treeline range from roughly 30 to 80 cm.

Below treeline, the snowpack thins significantly; many areas have only a shallow, crusty base or little snow at all.

Watch out for variable snow conditions and quality—early-season hazards such as open creeks, rocks, and stumps are abundant.

Sunday Night

Increasing cloud cover. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow at treeline. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. Trace to 4 cm of snow at treeline. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. Up to 1 cm of snow at treeline. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.