Lingering wind slabs may still be a concern on isolated slopes. Evaluate steep lines before committing to them.
Wind slabs may remain reactive to riders on steep cross-loaded features. These may slide easily where they overlie a thick melt-freeze crust.
Several wind slab avalanches (size 1 to 2) were observed on north aspects, typically below cornices and in thin rocky features. Evidence from last weekend (wet loose and slab avalanches) continued to be reported from steep, south-facing slopes in the alpine.
Outside the region, large persistent slabs were observed out of moraine features with shallow faceted snowpack.
Consider submitting to the Mountain Information Network if you have been in the backcountry.
Wind has redistributed recent snow, forming pressed surfaces and wind slabs in open terrain while leaving 15-30 cm of soft snow in sheltered areas. Wind slabs may be more predominant on the east side of White Pass where the wind hit harder. A breakable melt-freeze crust covers most solar slopes.
A buried surface hoar or crust layer, 40 to 60 cm deep, is variable in distribution and has produced some test results. Similarly, a December crust with facets, 100 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m, has shown no significant test results.
Snow depth ranges from 100 cm at highway elevations to over 300 cm in the alpine.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
