Northwest Coastal

Wind slabs remain a concern, shifting winds may form fresh, reactive slabs.

Buried weak layers exist inland; avoid large, open slopes capable of producing big avalanches.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
• We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Wind slabs continue to be sensitive to rider triggers, primarily at treeline elevations on north/west aspects.

A remotely triggered size 2.5 persistent slab was reported on a west aspect at treeline, failing on buried weak layers.

Meanwhile cold temperatures mean dry loose avalanches are becoming more common in very sheltered, steep terrain.

Outflow winds have sculpted the snowpack. Most exposed terrain is sastrugi or has been scoured down to old crusts. On sheltered slopes, wind slabs persist.

20 to 60 cm of snow overlies facet, crust and/or surface hoar layers in isolated wind-sheltered terrain features (primarily at treeline and below). Reports suggest this may be a concern in inland areas.

A January crust with associated facets is buried 100 to 200 cm deep. Below, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate angled slopes with low consequences.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.