Wind slabs are getting more stubborn to trigger, but remain a concern on lee slopes.
A persistent slab problem lingers in steep, thin snowpack areas.
Recent flurries combined with southerly winds formed wind slabs on lee slopes. These slabs may be more reactive where they overlie buried surface hoar.
A weak layer of facets may be found 70 to 200 cm deep. In shallower inland areas, weak depth hoar exists to ground. Avoid steep, rocky, and thin snowpack areas where this layer could be triggered.
No new avalanches have been reported.
Human-triggered slab avalanches in specific areas may be possible. Natural avalanches are considered unlikely at this time.
Observations are still limited, so be sure to post yours to the MIN if you get out!
Strong southerly winds created widespread wind effect at ridgetops and in open areas. Wind slabs are likely becoming more stubborn to trigger.
A hard crust is buried 15-30 cm deep and exists below 1300 m and on south aspects. Buried surface hoar is preserved on this crust in sheltered leeward features at all elevations and may be reactive where wind slabs have formed over it.
A weak layer of facets, buried 70–200 cm deep, continues to react in tests. It remains a concern where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick in White Pass and is the primary issue in shallower inland areas with basal depth hoar.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
