Confidence
Fair - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Arctic air will slowly be displaced as a Pacific frontal system moves onto the coast later this week. For the next few days the temperatures will remain below freezing at valley bottom.
Avalanche Summary
No recent reports of natural or skier/rider triggered avalanches, however, treat all wind loaded pockets with caution.
Snowpack Summary
Snow depths are highly variable throughout the region with reports of up to 150cm of snow at some tree line elevations. Terrain below tree line is mostly below threshold for avalanche activity.The snow that fell during the last storm will slowly bond to old surfaces. Much of the last storm snow has been redistributed by strong northerly winds at upper elevations. Wind slabs are a cause for concern on lee terrain. Surface and shallow snowpack facetting is taking place in some higher locations. Many alpine ridge tops have been scoured by the recent NE winds.There are crusts buried deeper in the snowpack with facets at higher elevations. Worth looking for it if you are digging a pit.
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.