Strong sun and warming will increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches.
Recently formed wind slabs may still be reactive to rider triggering, and could fail naturally during periods of strong sun or warm temperatures.
Cornices are more likely to fall as the temperature rises and the sun comes out.
Wet loose avalanches will occur during calm, sunny periods. Avoid being underneath slopes in the sun.
As strong westerly winds increased on Thursday, several natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed from alpine terrain. Cornices were actively growing as well. (See MIN here)
Strong sun and warming on Saturday will increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches. Be increasingly cautious as the snowpack warms up and weakens.
20 to 50 cm of recent storm snow either sits on a melt-freeze crust at upper elevations or wet snow lower down. In exposed areas, the new snow has been redistributed by strong westerly winds.
A weak layer of facets above a hard crust is buried 50 to 70 cm deep. This layer hasn't produced avalanches since last week's warm weather.
Facets exist at the base of the snowpack in shallow areas.
The snowpack continues to melt at lower elevations.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
