Northwest Coastal

Caution as you transition into wind-exposed terrain. Avalanches are possible where wind slabs have formed in the alpine.

Friday night: Clearing skies, no precipitation, light northeast winds, alpine temperature -10 C

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, light to moderate northwest winds, alpine high temperature -5 C

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud, light flurries possible in the northern half of the region, light to moderate northwest winds, alpine high temperature near -2 C, freezing level around 1100 m with an alpine temperature inversion in the southern half of the region

Monday: Mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine high temperature near 0 C, freezing level around 1100 m with an alpine temperature inversion in the southern half of the region

We have very limited observations combined with high regional variability from the recent storm. Wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported Thursday in the Bear River Pass area on lee terrain features in the alpine. As snowfall and wind tapers, these wind slabs may remain reactive to human-triggering.

If you get into the mountains this weekend, let us know what you see by submitting to the Mountain Information Network!

Incremental snow fall over the last week has added a fresh coat to the backcountry. Accumulations have varied drastically by location, with favored areas picking up 45-60 cm of snow since Sunday. The higher amounts fell further north in areas such as Bear Pass. Southwest winds have transported the recent snow into wind slabs on lee features at upper elevations. Depending on location, these slabs are likely sitting on a mix of sugary faceted snow, feathery surface hoar crystals, and hard wind-affected snow that may be reactive to human triggering.

Snowpack depths at treeline are likely in the 90-160 cm range, tapering quickly at lower elevations.