Regions
Northwest Inland.
Outflow winds have produced wind slabs on various aspects and cross-loaded terrain. Look for signs of instability as you gain elevation and transition into wind-affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -6C. Ridgetop winds 15-25 km/h from the east.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -6C. Ridgetop winds 20-35 km/h gusting to 50 km/h from the east.THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -8C. Ridgetop winds 15-25 km/h from the southeast.FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm. Alpine temperatures near -15C. Ridgetop winds 25-30 km/h from the southeast.
Avalanche Summary
There have been few snow and avalanche observations for this region recently.On Saturday, a small size 1 natural avalanche cycle was spotted in wind-pressed features and, on Sunday, small size 1 slabs were reactive to skier traffic. As well, loose dry snow was sloughing in steep terrain over the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Variable winds have redistributed recent snow producing firm wind slabs at ridgetops and a variety of wind-affected surfaces throughout the alpine. In most areas, the 20-50 cm recent snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust on solar aspects. In selective sheltered areas, low density snow overlies facets and/or spotty surface hoar. In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.