Regions
Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Light snowfall throughout the day becoming moderate through the evening / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceWednesday: Steady snowfall in the early morning becoming light / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at surfaceThursday: Light snowfall / Strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 400m
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported. I would expect touchy storm slab conditions with forecast weather over the next few days.
Snowpack Summary
A developing storm slab overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. As the new slab develops and gains cohesion, I would expect it to have a poor bond with any of these old surfaces.The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.
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.