Regions
Northwest Inland.
Cornices have the potential to trigger avalanches on the slopes below. Be alert to changes with elevation.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: 5-10 cm of snow, 60 km/h south wind, and freezing level up to 1400 m.WEDNESDAY: Isolated light flurries, 50 km/h south wind, and freezing level around 1200 m.THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, light southeast wind, freezing level up to 1300 m after an overnight freeze.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, light southeast wind, freezing level up to 1300 m after an overnight freeze.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past few days, several size 1-2 wind slabs were triggered by cornice falls in the Howsons. No other new avalanches have been reported in the region since last week, when 2 large cornice triggered slabs were reported in the Microwave area. Slab avalanches are most likely at higher elevations that haven't been through daily melt-freeze cycles.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds with light amounts of new snow will form fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. Rain and warm temperatures up to 1400 m will soften the snow at lower elevations. Crusts may be found at higher elevations, particularly on sun-exposed slopes. The February crust and facet layer was reported to be down 75-90 cm in the Houston Telkwas sled area. The deep persistent weak layer of facets and/or a crust that were buried early in the winter are still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack.
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.