Regions
Northwest Inland.
Expect the avalanche danger to increase as the sun comes out and the temperature rises through the day.
Confidence
Low - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light south wind / Alpine temperature -3 / Freezing level 1300mMONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate east wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1500mTUESDAY: Scattered flurries / Light to moderate southeast wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1200m
Avalanche Summary
There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity. That being said there is little to no information being passed on from the region recently. Exposure to large overhanging cornices remains a significant concern. As the sun comes out over the weekend expect to see cornices weaken and loose snow avalanches run from steep sun exposed slopes during the warmest parts of the day.
Snowpack Summary
New snow falling last week has been redistributed by south and east wind at upper elevations. This is likely sitting on a hard wind crust in exposed alpine areas and sun crust on aspects facing the sun. Lower elevations are experiencing a melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack is likely moist or wet throughout its entire thickness. A deep persistent weak layer is still lingering near the bottom of the snowpack in all areas.
Problems
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.