It's exploring season! Whatever tools you use for travel, make sure they're sharp to deal with hard surfaces in the morning. Start and finish early to avoid getting caught in isothermal snow.
Large cornices still loom over many ridgelines and they won't hang on forever. Be aware of these overhead hazards and stay well back from overhanging cornices on ridgelines.
Slushy, isothermal snow conditions can emerge on directly sun-facing slopes during the heat of the day. Plan your route with this in mind to avoid getting surprised by difficult travel and rising wet loose avalanche danger.
A cornice failure was observed near the Lions on the North Shore at around noon on Monday, believed to have failed within 12 hours of that time. Check out the report HERE.
Otherwise, no new avalanches have been reported and little activity is expected under current conditions. A wet loose cycle likely occurred over the weekend at all elevations.
Observations are starting to taper off in many regions. If you are heading out into the backcountry, post a MIN!
All of the region's snowpack has now seen temperatures well above 0 °C. Clear overnight periods will allow surface crusts to form before daytime warming softens the surface again. Limited dry snow may remain on the region's highest north-facing slopes.
Expect surfaces to become moist during the day and even isothermal on sun-facing slopes. Wet loose avalanche danger emerges when this condition is in play, a counterpoint to slip-and-fall hazards when and where the surface is well-frozen. Outside of oscillating surface conditions, there are no layers of concern in the snowpack, which exists mainly above 1000 m.
Wednesday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature 6 °C. Freezing level to 2500 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny before clouding over in the afternoon. 10 to 15 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature 8 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with scattered rain showers, up to 4 mm. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
