Northwest Inland

Avalanche hazard will likely be on the rise Wednesday as new snow and wind add fuel to the existing wind slab problem.

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Wednesday: 2 to 10cm of snow expected above 1300m. Light SE winds at treeline, Strong SW winds at ridgetop.Thursday: Trace of snow. Moderate SW winds at treeline, strong SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level holding at 1500m.Friday: Freezing level fluctuating between 1000m and 1500m. 1 to 5cm of snow possible. Moderate SW winds at treeline, strong SW winds at ridgetop.

Numerous size 1 loose wet avalanches were reported on Saturday. They failed in steep rocky terrain in response to warming and solar radiation. On Sunday cornice failures to size 2 were reported. Several small wind slabs from immediately lee of ridge crest were reported Monday.

Light accumulations from Friday may now exist as a soft wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The new snow overlies older wind slabs, crusts and wind-scoured surfaces. Sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation areas are likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of this layer. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile.