Regions
Northwest Inland.
Outflow winds continue to redistribute loose snow. Human triggered avalanches remain likely where fresh slabs have formed in exposed terrain. The best riding will be in sheltered areas out of the wind.
Confidence
Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear. Alpine temperatures near -15C. Ridgetop winds moderate from the east-northeast.MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -14C. Ridgetop winds moderate to strong from the east.TUESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures near -12C. Ridgetop winds moderate gusting strong from the east.WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures near -6C, freezing level rising to 800 m. Ridgetop winds light to moderate from the northeast.
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, small size 1 avalanches were spotted in wind-pressed features, the new snow has likely formed fresh wind slabs at upper elevations. Loose dry sluffing is also occuring in steep terrain.A few small wind slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and naturally on Wednesday. They were on all aspects, in steep terrain, and at treeline and alpine elevations. The slabs were generally 10 to 20 cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
The storm that began on Thursday delivered 15 to 30 cm of fluffy low density snow by Saturday morning. Over the weekend, winds shifted from west to east, expect to find new wind slabs on varied aspects, as well as in cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow has buried pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.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.