Wind slabs likely exist on steep north slopes, especially near ridgelines.
Brief periods of sun could quickly weaken the upper snowpack.
Fresh wind slabs continue to form with persistent south through southwest winds. A buried layer of surface hoar may exist beneath (30 to 60 cm deep) wind slabs on shaded, northerly slopes immediately beneath ridge tops.
Even brief periods of sun can quickly weaken the upper snowpack, leading to wet loose avalanche activity.
No avalanche activity has been reported since Wednesday, when numerous loose wet avalanches were reported throughout the region.
Earlier in the week, several wind slab avalnches where reported in both Haines Pass and White Pass, including one that was remotely triggered and surprisingly large due to buried surface hoar.
If you’re heading into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report—observations are particularly limited this time of year.
Recent southwesterly winds have redistributed dry snow at higher elevations, forming wind slabs in leeward terrain. A layer of surface hoar persists beneath these slabs in isolated areas, roughly 30 to 60 cm deep. This layer appears most reactive on shaded, north-facing slopes, immediately below ridgetop features.
A variety of firm or crusty surfaces is likely on south-facing and lower-elevation terrain due to warming and solar input, as well as in exposed higher-elevation areas where wind scouring has occurred.
The lower snowpack remains weak and faceted, particularly in areas with a shallow overall snowpack.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. Up to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 3 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
