Ongoing snow and wind continue to build fresh surface slabs.
A layer of weak faceted snow (100 to 300 cm deep) exists in the snowpack. It remains a concern in shallower inland regions or thin spots in White Pass, where it could be triggered and propagate into deeper snow nearby.
New snow continues to accumulate. Slab avalanches may be most reactive in northerly facing terrain where recent winds have created deeper deposits, and preserved surface hoar may linger beneath the new snow.
No new avalanches have been reported.
Observations are limited, so be sure to post yours to the MIN if you get out!
Approximately 10 to 40 cm of recent snow has accumulated since last week. This snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust below roughly 1200 m, and a variety of old, firm wind-affected surfaces above.
A crust buried on January 26th is down 50 to 80 cm from the surface. On north through east aspects, a layer of surface hoar may exist atop the crust.
A layer of weak facets from December lingers anywhere from 100 to 300 cm below the surface. It remains a concern in shallow areas of White Pass and inland regions with a thinner snowpack.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow in the White Pass area, and 1 to 5 cm elsewhere. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
