Highly variable snow depths and surfaces due to the recent wind effect. Until we get more snow, the best riding will be in shelter features with a deeper snowpack.
In exposed alpine terrain you will find a variety of wind-effected surfaces, including scouring, sastrugi, and hard wind slab. Human-triggering wind slabs on isolated or extreme features are unlikely but not impossible. Despite the lack of loose snow for transport, watch for new wind slab development as we see increasing northwest winds over the coming days.
No other recent avalanche activity has been reported in the region.
Thank you for the MIN reports! They are extremely helpful to us! If you head into the backcountry please submit a MIN report!
In general, the snowpack is highly wind affected resulting in a wide variation in snowpack depths. Depths at treeline range from 50 to 125cm.
Upper Snowpack
10-20 cm of recent low density snow in areas sheltered from the wind. Isolated pockets of wind slab are hard to find but still exist in wind-exposed terrain at higher elevations.
Mid-pack
Generally well settled. A mid-November crust and facet layer is down approximately 60cm from the surface and is reportedly bonding well.
Lower-pack
Weak sugary snow (basal facets).
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with no precipitation. Generally light northwest winds and temperatures around -10 C in the alpine.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy, with no precipitation. Alpine temperatures in the -5 to -10 C range. Generally moderate westerly winds with strong gusts in the alpine.
ThursdayMainly cloudy, with no precipitation. Alpine temperatures in the 0 to -5 C range, with the potential for a slight temperature inversion. Moderate to strong northwesterly alpine winds.
FridayA mix of sun and cloud, with a chance of flurries. Alpine temperatures range from 0 to -10 C and moderate winds from the northwest.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
