Regions
Northwest Coastal.
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch out for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Weather Forecast
Light precipitation could start as early as Tuesday with freezing levels peaking around 1000 m, and light but gusty southwesterly winds. Increasing snowfall intensity throughout the day on Wednesday with around 5 cm expected by the evening and another 5-10 cm for Thursday. Freezing levels hovering around 800-1000 m and generally light winds.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Sunday include Isolated wet releases up to Size 2.5 out of steep sun-exposed slopes, and pin wheeling on steep slopes at treeline and below. One large cornice failure was reported, but it didn't trigger any slabs on the slope below. As temperatures rise, keep in mind the possibility of glide slabs releasing on smooth rock surfaces - avoid traveling on or under slopes sporting glide cracks.
Snowpack Summary
A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure, but in general the snowpack is strong. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. 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.