Anticipate a return to spring-time avalanche concerns with sunny weather and rising freezing levels. Stay alert to steep, sun-exposed slopes and cornices during peak daytime warming.
New snow totals varied across the region, with anywhere from 5-20 cm of accumulation. The new snow combined with moderate northeast winds has likely formed fresh wind slabs in lee terrain features at upper elevations that may still be reactive to human triggers.
Cornices are large and fragile. Cornice falls could trigger avalanches on the slopes below.
Expect wet loose avalanches to run naturally when steep slopes are exposed to the sun. Activity will start on east-facing slopes in the morning, south-facing slopes throughout the day, and continue on west-facing slopes into the evening.
Monday night: Partly cloudy, light east winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.
Tuesday: Sunny, light winds becoming west, alpine high temperature -3 C, freezing level 2200 m.
Wednesday: Sunny, light west winds, alpine high temperature -1 C, freezing level 2600 m.
Thursday: Cloudy, 5-15 cm of snow, light northeast wind with moderate ridgetop gusts, alpine high temperature -5 C, freezing level dropping throughout the day to valley bottom.
On Saturday, there were reports of numerous wet loose avalanches releasing naturally on steep east-facing alpine slopes early in the day. Observers also reported two natural wet slab avalanches that occurred on northeast aspects above 2000 m.
An upslope storm brought 5-10 cm of new snow to the region, with 20+ cm accumulating in favored areas. Moderate northeast winds with strong ridgetop gusts have formed fresh wind slabs in exposed areas at upper elevations that may still be reactive to triggers.
Sunny weather returns, which will likely initiate wet loose avalanches in the new snow as it loses cohesion. Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Sun and warm temperatures will increase the chances of cornice failures, which could trigger avalanches on the slopes below. Check out the Forecaster's Blog for information on how to manage these spring conditions.
The snowpack is overall strong and settled in most areas. However, steep and rocky alpine slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack may still harbor deeply buried weak layers.
The snow line is slowly creeping up the mountains, making some access areas snow-free.
