Northwest Inland

Limit exposure to slopes with cornices above and assess steep lines for wind slabs before committing to them.

Saturday night: Possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light southeast winds. Low of -4 at 1500 m.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and freezing levels rising to 1300 m.

Monday: Sunny with no new snow expected. Light variable winds and freezing levels rising to 1300 m.

Tuesday: Cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of snow with light to moderate south winds. Freezing levels rising to 1500 m.

ON Friday our field team observed a few dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5 on north facing terrain in the alpine. Several small wet loose avalanches were also observed at lower elevations in the region.

A supportive crust extends into the alpine on all aspects. This crust will likely become moist at lower elevations as the freezing level rises. Wind slabs may be found at high elevations on north and east aspects.

A couple of layers of weak crystals in the upper snowpack appear to be bonding according to recent snowpack tests. Additionally, we suspect that the surface crust will help bridge these layers, further decreasing their likelihood of triggering.

• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.