Regions
Northwest Inland.
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch out for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Weather Forecast
Isolated light snowfall throughout the day on Wednesday with trace total amounts expected by the evening, and another 5 cm for Thursday. Freezing levels hovering around 800-1000 m and generally light winds. Expect clearing throughout the day on Friday as the high-pressure ridge rebuilds.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Monday include numerous wet releases up to Size 2 out of steep sun-exposed slopes. Isolated cornice failures were reported, but no slabs were triggered on the slopes below. Several recent full-depth glide avalanches up to Size 3 were also observed nearby on all but North aspects.
Snowpack Summary
A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure, but in general the snowpack is strong. Old wind slabs may be lurking in the alpine, or lower in glaciated drainages from recent katabatic winds. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.
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.