Wind slabs have formed on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but human triggered avalanches remain possible.
Confidence
High - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
The arctic ridge will continue to bring cold, outflow winds and dry weather to the coast tomorrow. Thursday will see a slight change when the low slides south bringing some precipitation. Wednesday: Sunny with some cloudy periods. Treeline temperatures near -8 with light ridgetop winds from the North.Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Treeline temperatures near -6 with light ridgetop winds from the North.Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Treeline temperatures near -5 with light ridgetop winds from the northeast.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, numerous wind slabs were easily triggered by the weight of a person up to size 1.5. With continued outflow winds and cold air natural avalanche activity will taper off but human triggered wind slabs remain possible through Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
40-50 cm of new snow from last weekend has been redistributed by strong southwesterly winds initially and now northerly winds. This sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.
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.