Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
Potential for a cold, windy day. Watch for building wind slabs, even at low elevation.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Summary
A few size 1- 1.5 storm slabs and loose dry avalanches were reported on Monday between 1250 and 1600 m. Skiers were able to trigger pockets of wind slab on north-to north-west facing slopes on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Variable winds are likely to build slabs on many different slopes. Recent snow (around 20-30 cm) overlies various surfaces including a freezing rain crust (which was reported as being hard in the alpine and breakable below treeline), old sun crusts and wind slabs.
A variable weak layer that formed in mid-December can be found in the upper snowpack. This mid-December layer is comprised of crusts on solar aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered locations.
The lower snowpack is generally well settled with two prominent crusts. The late-November crust can be found 30-50 cm below the surface and the October crust is near the base of the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Cloudy with strong outflow winds. Flurries possible. Alpine temperature near -20.
FRIDAY: Clear with light winds. Flurries possible. Alpine temperature near -20.
SATURDAY: Cloudy with light winds. Flurries possible. Alpine temperature near -5, but cold in the valleys.
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Changing winds may build wind slabs on a variety of slopes, even at low elevations.