Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Regions
Northwest Inland.
Incoming snow will be redistributed by winds and develop slabs. Expect deeper and more sensitive deposits at upper elevations and in lee features, these places are most suspect to human triggers.
Confidence
Low - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY NIGHT: Scattered flurries, up to 10 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level 800 m.FRIDAY: Snow, 10-35 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Freezing level rising above 600 m.SATURDAY: Snow, 15-40 cm accumulation. Moderate west wind with strong gusts. Freezing level 1000 m.SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Moderate gusting to strong west wind. Freezing level below 800m.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, wind-loaded pockets were reactive to skier traffic, including 2 very small unsupported pockets remotely triggered (from a distance) by skiers.Information from this region is limited. Tell us what you see by posting to the Mountain Information Network! (MIN)
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm recent snow has been redistributed by wind and formed slabs in the alpine and treeline. Deeper and more sensitive wind deposits are likely to be found at higher elevations and in wind-loaded areas. Incoming snow may not bond well this wind-pressed surface.In total, 60-100 cm covers a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) that formed during the dry spell in early December. Information about about how well the December snow is bonding to this layer is limited in this region. Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early season crust with facets near the bottom of the snowpack.
Problems
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.