Avalanche danger has improved since last weekend, but a skier or sledder could still trigger a large avalanche in specific terrain.
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Light snow. Moderate to strong SW winds. A layer of warm air may form at mountain height, while the valleys remain cooler.Sunday: Light snow. Light to moderate S winds. The layer of warm air aloft may persist. Monday: Light snow. Moderate to strong S winds. Warming up at all elevations late in the day.
Avalanche Summary
We haven't had any recent reports of avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
Recent reports from the region suggest that 50-150 cm of settling snow overlies one or more weak crust/facet layers which formed during November. Snowpack tests show generally improving strength, but the potential to produce large avalanches if triggered. Forecast winds may build wind slabs on lee slopes.
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.