Regions
Northwest Inland.
Forecast light snow combined with wind will continue to develop thin new windslabs at higher elevations.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
3-5 cm overnight with strong southwest winds and freezing levels at valley bottoms. Temperatures around -10 at treeline. Light flurries and moderate westerly winds during the day Sunday with a chance of broken skies in the afternoon. High cloud with a few flurries on Monday with light southwest winds. Light southeast winds on Tuesday with a few light flurries.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported. Incremental loading should develop thin new wind slabs on lee aspects.
Snowpack Summary
A trace of new snow overnight has not changed the conditions. Shallow early season conditions continue with 80-100 cm at treeline in the south and west of the region, and closer to 60 cm in the east. Stiff wind slabs have been reported above treeline in the lee of variable and changing winds. The winds were out of the northeast in areas under the influence of arctic air, and out of the south or southeast when the snow moved across from the coast. The surface hoar reported last week is variable in its distribution and may be hard to find. Weak basal layers may exist in shallow snowpacks that have experienced continuous cold temperatures.
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.