Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Inland.
Wind slabs remain triggerable. Watch for pockets of wind-loaded snow and tune in to any signs of instability like whumphing, cracking or recent avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate -
Weather Forecast
Friday night: Flurries up to 5 cm, strong southwest wind easing, freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, high of -2, freezing level 800 m.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, high of -3, freezing level valley bottom.
Monday: Sunny, moderate northeast wind, high of -15.
Avalanche Summary
Natural and skier triggered wind slabs were reported up to size 1.5 on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Incremental inputs of new snow are being loaded into leeward terrain features by wind. These fresh wind slabs sit over a thick rain crust. The 10-20 cm thick rain crust makes human triggering of avalanches on weak layers deeper in the snowpack very unlikely.
Cornices overhead are a primary concern during sunny, warm, or windy conditions. Cornice failures can trigger very large persistent slab avalanches that would otherwise be difficult to human trigger.
Terrain and Travel
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Incremental inputs of new snow accompanied by strong wind continue to form fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.
Cornices overhead are a primary concern during sunny, warm, or windy conditions. Cornice failures may trigger large persistent slab avalanches that would otherwise be difficult to trigger.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5