Regions
Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Poor - Due to limited field observations
Weather Forecast
Expect drier conditions this weekend as a ridge of high pressure builds over the province. The freezing level should be around 1000m on Saturday and near valley bottom Sunday. Winds are generally moderate from the W-SW. A warm front will cross the area late Sunday bringing light precipitation through Monday. The freezing level could jump as high as 2500m on Monday.
Avalanche Summary
No new observations. Wind slabs and storm snow instabilities will remain susceptible to human triggering for at least the next couple days.
Snowpack Summary
Very strong W-SW winds have probably wreaked havoc in any exposed terrain. Expect to find scoured areas, sastrugi, and hard or stiff wind slabs. The average snowpack depth at treeline is over 200cm. The mid and lower snowpack are generally quite strong. Watch for clues of instability like whumpfs or shooting cracks, and if observed back off any steeper objectives.
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.
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.