Avalanche Forecast
Northwest Inland
Winds are redistributing recent storm snow creating widespread wind slabs at upper elevations. Be wary of leeward and cross loaded slopes.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Wind loading is forming touchy slabs.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday there was a report of a natural size 2 storm slab release on a east aspect below treeline feature that failed on facets buried by recent storm snow. Skiers also reported triggering small storm slab releases on steep convex rolls below treeline.
With continued moderate to strong westerly winds it's likely that recent snow and wind loading at treeline and alpine elevations has primed conditions for human-triggering or natural avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Light snow and strong winds continue to create wind slabs in open terrain at alpine and treeline elevations. These cover old hard wind slabs and scoured surfaces in many exposed areas. In wind-sheltered terrain, sun crusts or dry facets sit below the recent storm snow.
Around 50-150 cm down, you will find a crust/surface hoar layer from mid-January, which still has the chance to surprise you and could be triggered from a thin snowpack spot, or with a large trigger like cornice fall.
Facets at the base of the snowpack could possibly be triggered from shallow snowpack areas.
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY NIGHT: Flurries. Accumulation up to 5 m. Ridge wind strong, southwest. Temperature near -8. Freezing level 200 m.
WEDNESDAY: Snow beginning in the afternoon. Accumulation 10 cm. Ridge wind moderate to strong southeast. Temperature near -5. Freezing level 500 m.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY: mix of sun and cloud, light flurries. Accumulation 5-10 cm Thursday morning. Ridge wind strong, east. Temperature near -7 dropping to -12. Freezing level 400 m lowering to valley bottom.
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Recent snow and strong winds have formed widespread wind slabs at upper elevations and on open features below treeline. These slabs have been sensitive to light triggers and could be triggered by the weight of a person.