Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Wind slabs are becoming less likely to human trigger. Steep, convex, and rocky areas are the most likely spots to trigger these lingering wind slabs.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with sunny periods / Light to moderate southeasterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1500 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeasterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 1800 m.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light southeasterly ridgetop winds / Freezing level rising to around 2000 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of new snow covers sun crust on solar aspects and surface hoar averaging 5 mm, but found up to 20 mm, on sheltered, shady aspects extending into the alpine in some areas. A layer of small surface hoar (5 mm) buried in late February has been reported in isolated locations at treeline and below.In the upper/mid-pack you will likely find layers of crusts, facets, and isolated surface hoar buried 50-100 cm below the surface. Deeper in the snowpack, around 150-200 cm down there is a crust/surface hoar layer from January. Sugary facets near the bottom of the snowpack would likely be found in colder and dryer parts of the region, such as the far north.
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.