Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Strong southerly winds have likely formed fresh storm slabs that rest on a widespread crust. The best riding and highest danger are expected to overlap on high elevation north facing features.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday
Weather Forecast
The weather models continue to have a tough time with the current pattern and the region has been receiving less precipitation than forecasted over the last few days. Unfortunately there is still quite a bit of uncertainty, so take the following precipitation and wind speed values with a grain of salt. SUNDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1000 m, strong southwest wind, 2 to 8 cm of snow possible.MONDAY: Overcast, freezing level holding around 1200 m, moderate to strong southwest wind, a trace of snow possible.TUESDAY: Overcast, freezing level holding around 1200 m, moderate southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow.WEDNESDAY: Overcast with potential for some clearing in the afternoon, freezing level holding around 1200 m, light southwest wind, 1 to 5 cm of snow.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday loose wet avalanches to size 1 were reported as storm snow slid on the April 4th crust. A few natural size 1 to 1.5 wind slabs were reported Saturday morning. If you're out we'd love it if you would submit what you're seeing to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 40 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Moderate to strong wind generally out of the south over the weekend likely formed fresh slabs which may remain sensitive to human triggering Monday. North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 40 to 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.At and below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.