Regions
Northwest Inland.
Watch for wind slabs as you gain elevation. North-facing slopes have seen the most recent wind loading.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Light flurries with 2-5 cm of new snow, moderate southwest winds, freezing level dropping to 500 m.WEDNESDAY: Flurries developing throughout the day with another 2-5 cm, strong south winds, freezing level steady at 500 m.THURSDAY: Another 5 cm of new snow, moderate south winds, freezing level around 700 m.
Avalanche Summary
Small wet loose avalanches were reported on steep solar aspects over the weekend. No recent slab activity has been reported.
Snowpack Summary
Surface snow is well settled after a weekend of warm alpine temperatures. Old wind slabs may be lingering in exposed terrain and dry snow may still be found on shady north-facing slopes. A freezing rain crust can be found 20 cm below the surface (which was reported as being hard in the alpine and breakable below treeline). The snowpack is generally well settled, with a few prominent layers including a mid-December crusts / surface hoar layer and some early season crusts. Reports suggest the snow is well-bonded to these deeper layers.
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.