Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
New snow and wind are increasing avalanche danger in the region. Take a cautious approach while the new snow settles and bonds to the surface.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid steep pockets of wind loaded snow.
- Be conscious of wind loading patterns as you gain elevation.
- Watch for signs of wind slab formation, like shooting cracks.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
There are signs that suggest a reactive slab has finally developed above weak layers in the top 50 cm of the snowpack. It's still early to be certain, but persistent slab problems should be on your radar. Thin areas and convexities are most suspect.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Choose well supported terrain without convexities.
- Carefully evaluate and use extra caution around thin snowpack areas.
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 night: Cloudy with flurries bringing 3-7 cm of new snow. Moderate southeast winds.
Thursday: Cloudy with continuing isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light to moderate southeast winds. Alpine high temperatures to -5.
Friday: Mainly cloudy. Light southeast winds. Alpine high temperatures to -5.
Saturday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds. Alpine high temperatures to -6.
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New snow will continue building fresh slabs over Wednesday night and it will also be burying old wind slabs. Be extra cautious around steep rolls and in the lee of ridges and exposed terrain features.