Regions
Northwest Coastal.
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Weather Forecast
The next few days look dry and cool. Winds are moderate to strong from the north quarter (although wind direction will vary locally). Freezing level valley floor by night and rising to around 800 m by day.
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday and Friday, several size 1 skier initiated avalanches were reported. It is expected that these were thin wind slabs. Some cornice falls have also been reported. Last week, several full-depth avalanches up to size 3 were observed on all but north aspects. If the region gets substantial warming and sun again, isolated events like these could once again become active. Loose sluffs from steep sun exposed slopes are also possible.
Snowpack Summary
Keep an eye out for cornices, which may collapse. Small wind slabs can be found on some lee alpine slopes. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.
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.