Regions
Northwest Inland.
Benign weather after a good melt-freeze cycle. Remember to use good travel habits, consider human factors, and watch for isolated areas with unstable snow.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Overcast with light snow in the evening, south wind increasing to 60 km/h, freezing level up to 1400 m after an overnight freeze.WEDNESDAY: Scattered flurries with about 5 cm, strong south wind, and freezing level around 1400 m.THURSDAY: Light flurries, moderate southwest wind, freezing level dropping below 500 m.
Avalanche Summary
Several size 1-2 wind slabs were reported in steep terrain in a deep snow area in the Howsons on Sunday. No other new avalanches have been reported in the region since last week, when 2 large cornice triggered slabs were reported in the Microwave area. Slab avalanches are most probable at higher elevations that haven't been through daily melt-freeze cycles.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of dry snow may exist on northern aspects above 1300 m, with isolated wind slabs in exposed terrain. Periods of sun and high daytime freezing levels have developed crusts below treeline and on sun exposed terrain at all elevations. The snow may be moist or wet below treeline during the warmest part of the day. The February crust and facet layer was reported to be down 75-90 cm in the Houston Telkwas sled area. The deep persistent weak layer of facets and/or a crust that were buried early in the winter are still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack.
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.