Regions
Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: light precipitation / light to moderate southerly winds / freezing level at 1600m Thursday: light to moderate precipitation continuing overnight / light northerly winds / freezing level at 1400m Friday: light precipitation / moderate northwesterly winds / freezing level at 1400m
Avalanche Summary
We have had very little information about recent avalanche activity from this region. Based on observations from the Northwest Coastal region, I would expect wet loose snow avalanches have been occurring up to size 2 on solar aspects.
Snowpack Summary
We have had very little information about the snowpack in this region for several days now. However, I suspect the warmer temperatures and generally light winds have consolidated the snowpack in many areas. Anticipate extensive crusts on solar aspects and moist snow at lower elevations. On shady aspects, I suspect you can still find pockets of dry snow, which may sit over previous old wind slabs. Wet slabs become a possibility during periods of prolonged warming, especially if there is minimal amounts of overnight freeze. Expect cornices to be large and potentially unstable, especially under sunny skies
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.
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.