Recent wind and snow has likely left wind slabs at higher elevations. Observations from this region are limited, so it's critical to supplement this forecast with your own observations.
Confidence
Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures around -14 C.MONDAY: Light flurries, moderate to strong northwest wind, alpine temperatures around -8 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy, moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures warming to -6 C.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region the past few days. This may speak to a lack of observations rather than actual conditions. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Recent snowfall amounts vary throughout the region with roughly 20 cm in the north and up to 60 cm in the southeast of the region near Blue River. At higher elevations, southerly winds likely redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on lee features. Below the recent storm snow you may find crusts that formed during the rain events in late November. Little is known about depth, distribution, or reactivity of these crusts. Reports suggest the snow depth is over 200 cm in the alpine, 100-150 cm at treeline, and decreasing rapidly below treeline where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.