Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
Triggering an avalanche is most likely on steep features in wind-affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
There's some signs to suggest a reactive slab has finally developed above weak layers in the top 50 cm of the snowpack. Thin areas and convexities are most suspect.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.
- Choose well supported terrain without convexities.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Monday include two small skier triggered avalanches (both size 1). One was a wind slab on a northwest-facing slope under a wind lip and the other was a remotely triggered avalanche on a 50 cm deep surface hoar layer at 1000 m. These small avalanches may be indicators that the upper snowpack has settled into a more reactive slab.
Snowpack Summary
New snow is falling on a temperature crust left over from warm temperatures on the weekend. This crust likely exists well into the alpine. The warm temperatures also settled the upper snowpack, potentially forming a slab above buried weak layers in the top 50 cm of the snowpack. The potential weak layers include a few crusts and surface hoar layers that formed in early January and December. Recent reports suggest the snow is well bonded to most of these layers, but the recent settlement of the upper snowpack may have changed that.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Flurries developing throughout the day with 10-20 cm of snow by the afternoon, strong south winds, alpine temperatures around -5 C.
THURSDAY: Another 5 cm of snow, moderate south winds, alpine temperatures around -3 C.
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light wind, alpine temperatures around -5 C.
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New snow will form fresh slabs throughout the day as well as bury old wind slabs. Be cautious around steep rolls in exposed terrain.