Regions
Northwest Inland.
Wind slabs exist at higher elevations from recent snow and strong wind. The next storm will approach Thursday afternoon.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -9 C.THURSDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light to moderate west wind, alpine temperature -8 C.FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -7 C.SATURDAY: Early-morning snowfall and clearing over the day, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, light east wind, alpine temperature -16 C.
Avalanche Summary
Small wind slab avalanches were triggered naturally and by skiers on Tuesday. They were on all aspects and at treeline and alpine elevations. The slabs ranged from 20 to 60 cm deep.
Snowpack Summary
Thursday and Friday's storm may deliver another 10 to 15 cm of snow, which will add to the 5 to 10 cm received on Tuesday. Strong southwest wind during both of these storms will form wind slabs in cross-loaded and lee terrain features in exposed areas. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, this new snow fell onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.
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.