Regions
Northwest Inland.
Watch for thin wind slabs if you're traveling in the alpine Tuesday.
Confidence
Good - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday
Weather Forecast
High and dry conditions remain in place until Thursday when a weakening storm is expected to impact the region. Tuesday: Increasing cloud cover throughout the day. Light NW winds at treeline, Moderate NW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level at valley bottom. No significant precipitation. Wednesday: Increasing cloud cover throughout the day. Light W winds at treeline, Moderate to Strong W/NW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 800m, lowering to valley bottom overnight. No significant precipitation. Thursday: 1 to 5cm of snow. Strong SW winds at treeline, Strong to Extreme SW winds at ridgetop. Freezing level rising to 1200m, increasing to 1600m Thursday night.
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend avalanches to size 3 were reported from steep un-skiable south through west facing terrain features and isolated cornice fall produced a few slabs out of extreme terrain. Very thin wind slabs on NE facing alpine features were also observed.
Snowpack Summary
Small wind slabs can be found on some lee alpine slopes. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.
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.