Watch for signs of warming and be aware of overhead hazard.
Signs of buried weak layers may be hard to find, but they continue to be found in snowpack tests
A persistent weak layer is buried 80 to 130 cm. This layer remains a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the recent snow.
With spring sun and freezing levels rising to 2000 m, wet loose avalanches will be most likely where there is significant loose snow over the crust, especially on steep slopes.
Recent explosive avalanche control and natural cornice fall has produced numerous storm slab avalanches up to size 2 in north through east facing alpine terrain.
Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.
Up to 25 cm of recent snow is settling on a widespread melt-freeze crust that exists on all sun-affected slopes, and as high as 1700 m on shaded slopes.
A weak layer of preserved surface hoar or facets from late January is buried 80 to 130 cm. This weak layer remains a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the recent snow.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1900 m.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy, with mixed precipitation beginning late in the day. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud, with up to 15 mm of mixed precipitation overnight. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy, with up to 8 mm of mixed precipitation. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m through the day.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
