Northwest Inland

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Synopsis: A frontal system will hit the coast early on Tuesday spreading moderate snow and increasing winds. This is followed closely by a second system late Wednesday.  Tuesday: Light to locally moderate snowfall – 5-10 cm. The freezing level is around 600 m and winds increase to very strong from the south-southeast. Wednesday: Unsettled with light snow during the day and heavier snow in the evening (5-10 cm). The freezing level is steady near 600-700 m and winds remain strong from the south-southwest. Thursday: Light to moderate snow. The freezing level climbs closer to 1000 m.

There are a few reports of size 1-2 natural wind slabs from immediate lee and cross-loaded features. Slope testing also resulted in a few size 1 slabs in steep wind-loaded features.

A new sun crust has formed on steeper solar aspects. In shady areas there is 40-60 cm of well settled storm snow. Strong southwest winds formed touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain in lee of ridges, in gullies, and behind terrain features. There are a variety of old interfaces now down 60 - 100cm which include facets, crusts and isolated pockets of surface hoar. Recent observations indicate that these weaknesses have bonded fairly well now, but I still suggest digging and testing the snowpack to confirm.A strong mid-pack currently overlies a weak base layer of facets/depth hoar. It is worth noting that the snowpack in general is quite shallow in northern and eastern parts of the region. Triggering the basal weakness may still be possible from thin spots, rocky outcrops or under the weight of larger triggers such as cornice fall.