Fresh wind slabs in combination with buried weak layers necessitate simple, low-angled terrain selection.
A close call with a large persistent slab occurred in White Pass on Sunday.
Northeast winds on Tuesday will form fresh, reactive slabs throughout the day. Recent winds have varied in direction, so be cautious of wind-loaded pockets on all aspects.
Cornices are large, looming, and may trigger large slabs on slopes below.
Facets near the base of the snowpack have been reactive to riders in recent days. This layer is especially concerning on steep, rocky, wind-loaded slopes.
On Sunday, a significant avalanche accident occurred on the east side of White Pass, behind the Big Y. A snowmobiler highmarking a steep west-facing alpine slope triggered a size 2 persistent slab from a rocky thin area, failing on facets near the ground.
Looking forward to Tuesday, fresh, reactive wind slabs are expected to form with increasing northeast winds. Persistent slab avalanches remain possible to trigger, especially in steep, rocky, wind-affected terrain.
Cornices are large and looming. Avoid travelling underneath them.
20 to 40 cm of snow has been redistributed by south shifting to northeast winds. Up to 60 cm of powder may still be found in sheltered areas.
A persistent weak layer of facets or crust/facets can be found down 65 to 100 cm.
Facets or depth hoar exist at the base of the snowpack, especially in the inland areas that have a shallower snowpack.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
