It is possible to trigger lingering wind slabs 6-12 inches deep on mainly Northern and Eastern aspects...use caution in wind loaded terrain below cornices and just below ridges.
Triggering a persistent slab avalanche 2-3 feet deep is possible yet very difficult to trigger, however if triggered, may propagate over a large distance. Use good travel protocols like traveling one at a time on all steep and Northern aspects.
Wind slabs are most likely on leeward slopes which depends on local terrain. Southwest winds loaded primarily East through Northwest yet you may find other aspects with wind slab problems as the terrain can influence loading patterns so ultimately use your eyes to look for clues on the snow surface as to which way a slope has been loaded.
A 2–3-foot slab avalanche is still possible! Weak layers of buried surface hoar and facets that formed on the snow surface were buried 12/20 still may have the potential to propagate if triggered. Triggering this layer has become hard yet not impossible. The depth makes it harder to trigger yet more potent and deadly if triggered. Likely triggers would be smaller avalanches stepping down to this layer, or a machine sidehilling, or skier finding a thin spot in the slab near a rock or a tree.
Small wet loose avalanches may likely run on steep sunny slopes and rocky outcrops as the Sun graces us with its presence for a part of Tuesday. The cooler temps and increasing clouds through the day may limit solar induced d-1 relatively harmless avalanches, but you should be mindful of above hazard from solar induces loose snow as the day heats up.
The PAC would like to thank McCall Sports for sponsoring our forecast.
