Regions
Northwest Inland.
The region isn't expected to get much snow out of this system. Watch for fresh wind slab formation in the alpine.
Confidence
Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Thursday: Trace of snow. Moderate SW winds at treeline, strong SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level holding around 1500m.Friday: Freezing level fluctuating between 800m and 1200m. Trace amounts of snow possible. Light variable winds at treeline, Moderate W/SW winds at ridgetop.Saturday: Trace amounts of snow possible. Freezing level hovering around 1000m. Light S/SW winds at treeline, strong SW winds at ridgetop.
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slab avalanches were reported from alpine features Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
The upper snowpack is largely well settled and non-reactive. Sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation areas are likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of this layer. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile.
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.