Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Northwest Inland.
Small wind slabs may have formed on lee features below ridgetops.
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries; accumulation 3-5 cm. Moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -5. Freezing level 1100 m. SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -3. Freezing level 1500 m. MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature +2. Freezing level 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region. Avalanche reports have been limited due to very few information sources this time of year. If you have been out, please post your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
5 cm of new snow may have formed small wind slabs below ridgetops.Weak layers buried around March 19th are roughly 40 cm below the surface (up to 100 cm in deeper snowpack areas). These weak layers include surface hoar on shaded aspects at high elevations and hard crusts on solar aspects and below treeline.Sugary facets may be found near the base of the snowpack in shallow, rocky snowpack areas on shady aspects.
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.