Regions
Northwest Inland.
Confidence
Poor - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure is expected to continue to provide drier and cooler temperatures to the interior on Sunday. The temperature should rise on Monday causing the freezing level to rise dramatically to near 3000 metres. Monday evening the ridge is expected to weaken, and light flurries are expected by Tuesday.
Avalanche Summary
Natural and explosive controlled avalanches up to size 3.0 releasing in the storm snow. Some of the larger releases have been from glide avalanches. Most of this activity is in the West of the region closer to the coast. We don't have any new reports from the Interior.
Snowpack Summary
Very strong W-SW winds have probably wreaked havoc in any exposed terrain. Expect to find scoured areas, sastrugi, and hard or stiff wind slabs. The average snowpack depth at treeline is over 200cm. The mid and lower snowpack are generally quite strong. Watch for clues of instability like whumpfs or shooting cracks, and if observed back off any steeper objectives.
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.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.