Watch for wind loaded features above terrain traps like cliffs and gullies.
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
The high pressure continues, resulting in a fairly benign pattern until Friday.Wednesday/ Thursday: Mostly sunny with alpine temperatures near -4. Ridgetop winds will be light from the northeast. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with light precipitation amounts. Alpine high of -1 and ridgetop winds light from the southwest.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche observations have been reported. Reactive wind slabs may linger in exposed alpine features.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of heavy snow fell in the region last weekend. Current cold temperatures have formed a solid surface crust at lower elevations. At higher elevations, small wind slabs may be lingering in the lee of exposed ridges. The mid and lower snowpack are settled and well bonded.
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.