Conditions vary across the region, but a persistent weak layer remains the common thread.
Be patient, assess continuously, and choose conservative terrain
A faceted lower snowpack presents a persistent slab problem. This basal layer may be triggered by cornice fall or the weight of a rider in shallow snowpack areas or on steep features where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
No new avalanches have been reported.
Aerial observations in White Pass on Thursday included several recent natural persistent slabs to size 2.5, mainly on southeast to southwest aspects.
Roughly 10 to 15 cm of snow has incrementally accumulated and redistributed by moderate wind building small wind slabs over various old surfaces:
In the high alpine a surface hoar layer may remain intact on sheltered northerly terrain.
Hard, pressed surfaces, wind slab, and sastrugi in exposed terrain.
A crust should be found on or near the surface of sun-exposed slopes and lower elevations.
The lower snowpack is faceted and generally weak, particularly in shallow areas.
Monday Night
Cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
