Steer clear of ridge crests and wind-loaded slopes. With strong winds, remember that wind slabs can form well below ridgelines and may extend farther downslope than expected.
Strong winds have likely formed fresh wind slabs in open treeline features and at higher elevations. Mild temperatures may increase reactivity.
Wind slabs are expected to be reactive to human and natural triggers.
No new avalanches have been reported. However, observations are limited. If you are out and about in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to the MIN.
High elevations are heavily wind-affected, ranging from exposed rocks to dense wind slabs. Overnight snowfall and strong winds will fall onto these surfaces and become redistributed into fresh wind slabs. Softer snow may still be found in sheltered areas or at lower elevations. At treeline and below, the surface snow may be moist due to recent rain.
A mid November crust is buried 30–50 cm deep. The lower snowpack consists of multiple crusts, and in some areas, a layer of weak, sugary facets can be found near the ground.
Snowpack depths range from 40–120 cm. In many areas, especially below treeline, slopes lack enough snow to cover ground roughness and produce avalanches.
Monday Night
Cloudy. 30 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
Tuesday
Mostly clear. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Thursday
Cloudy. 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
