Watch for cornices and wind slabs near ridgetops and be cautious on sun-exposed slopes.
Small wind slabs may lurk on slippery crusts on lee features below alpine ridgetops, formed by recent convective flurries and southwesterly winds.
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines. They are capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.
MONDAY NIGHT: Clear, light northwest wind, treeline temperatures below -6 C with freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
TUESDAY: Sunny, southwest wind increasing to moderate through the day, treeline temperatures reach +4 C with freezing level climbing to 2200 m.
WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud and some light afternoon flurries, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline temperatures reach +3 C with freezing level around 2000 m.
THURSDAY: Snow, 5-20 cm, decreasing southwesterly wind, treeline temperatures below -6 C with freezing level dropping below 1000 m.
The last reported avalanche activity was on Thursday when some small wet loose avalanches were observed on steep sun-exposed slopes.
Sunny alpine slopes turned moist on Monday afternoon, 5-15 recent dry snow persists at upper elevations and in shady and north-facing terrain. Some small wind slabs may be found on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering avalanches when they fail.
The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack.
Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.
