Forecast strong to extreme winds will have a continuous supply of snowfall to form new wind slabs across the region. Seek out sheltered snow at lower angles and avoid exposure to wind loaded overhead terrain.
Expect to find older wind slabs on a wide range of aspects and touchy new slabs to the lee of the wind if you're nearing exposed terrain. A steady supply of new snow and even stronger wind should keep this problem active for several days.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing about 5 more cm of new snow. Strong southwest winds.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new and 2-day snow totals to 10-20 cm, continuing but easing overnight. Strong to extreme southwest winds, easing a bit over the day and overnight. Alpine high temperatures around -9.
MONDAY: Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing about another 5 cm of new snow and 3-day totals to 15-25 cm, continuing again overnight. Strong to extreme southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -11.
TUESDAY: Cloudy with another round of flurries with another 5-10 cm of new snow and 4-day totals of 25-40 cm. Moderate to strong southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures around -12.
Evidence of a recent storm slab avalanche cycle to size 2 has been observed in the days since last weekend's storm. Heightened avalanche danger has been maintained through the week by subsequent bouts of elevated southwest and northwest wind.
Looking forward, older wind slab formations will take a back seat to the active development of touchy new slabs over the coming days as new snow and strong to extreme winds reshape the upper snowpack.
Strong southwest winds have been redistributing light new snow amounts as well as older storm snow still able to be picked up by the wind and forming new wind slabs in leeward terrain while stripping windward slopes. Northwest winds have also played a significant role in the recent wind history.
Below the surface, 60+ cm of snow from last weekend's storm rests on yet more wind affected snow in exposed terrain and possibly a weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, as reported here and here.
The lower snowpack is strong around White Pass, but inland areas like the Wheaton Valley likely have a thinner and weaker structure.
