Regions
Northwest Inland.
Strong northeast winds will likely create new wind slabs on Sunday. Use added caution at higher elevations.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, moderate to strong east wind.SUNDAY: Clear skies, strong northeast wind, alpine temperature -25 C.MONDAY: Mostly clear skies, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -14 C.TUESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.
Avalanche Summary
Although visibility was limited, there was likely a natural avalanche cycle in the south of the region on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
Strong northeast winds will redistributed the recent 20 to 40 cm of storm snow at higher elevations, forming wind slabs. This snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, the storm snow may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.
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.