Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Good - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Cool temperatures and flurries in the forecast for the next few days. No significant snowfall or change in the weather for the the next week.
Avalanche Summary
One operator in the north of the region has reported several natural wind-slab avalanches, up to size 2.5, in steep west facing terrain in the alpine. No other reports of avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
A thin melt-freeze crust now covers the 40-80 cm of recent storm snow up to at least treeline. Strong and variable winds have created soft and stiff wind slabs on varying aspects in exposed terrain. Below the recent storm snow is a rain crust at lower elevations and a temperature crust has formed in some locations from the recent temperature inversion. In the mid-pack a surface hoar layer has been reported, although it appears to be spotty in distribution. Near the bottom of the snowpack is a crust facet combo that was buried in mid-November.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 6