Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Inland.
Recent snow and moderate southwesterly winds continue to form fresh wind slabs on lee features which may be reactive to human triggers.
Avoid steep or convex slopes where the wind has made the snow stiff or "slabby".
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday night: Clearing skies with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Light west winds / Low of -11 / Freezing level surface.
Wednesday: Increasing cloudiness with isolated flurries in the afternoon; 0-3 cm, and another 5-10 cm overnight / Moderate southwest wind / High of -2 / Freezing level 700 m.
Thursday: Flurries (above around 900 m), 3-10 cm / Moderate southwest wind / High of 2 / Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light west wind / High of -1 / Freezing level 1000 m.
Avalanche Summary
A naturally triggered size 2 wind slab avalanche was reported on a steep cross-loaded alpine feature on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
15 cm of new snow adds to the 10-15 cm of recent snow which overlies a hard melt-freeze crust.
Recent moderate southwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above that may be reactive to human triggers.
Cornices are very large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or windy weather.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent moderate southwest winds have formed wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above that may be reactive to human triggers.
Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2