Don't let good weather lure you into dangerous terrain.
Dry storm snow may be seeing its first test of strong sun, and avalanche danger could increase rapidly.
The recent storm formed large and fragile cornices. Be especially cautious during periods of strong sun, natural cornice failures have the potential to initiate large slab avalanches on the slopes below.
Strong solar input may rapidly impact the surface snow, initiating dry loose avalanches from steep terrain.
New snow and southerly wind have formed storm slabs at treeline and above, with deeper more reactive pockets expected in wind-loaded areas.
Observations are limited at this time of year, but we suspected a natural avalanche cycle occurred last weekend with heavy loading from snow, wind and rain.
Looking forward to Wednesday, strong solar input has the potential to rapidly destabilize the dry surface snow. Back off steep solar slopes during periods of strong sun.
Below 1000 meters, a thick crust exists on or near the surface. Above this elevation, 20-50 cm of dry snow has accumulated above a melt-freeze crust that extends to at least 1800 meters. At treeline and above, recent storm snow has been blown into wind slabs on west through east aspects. Below the new snow is a strong, well-settled snowpack.
Tuesday night
Mainly clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -2 °C. Ridge wind northwest 10-25 km/h. Freezing level drops to 700 metres.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Ridge wind northwest 10-25 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 0 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1100 metres.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -1 °C. Ridge wind light from the south. Freezing level rises to 900 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
