The surface crust will break down quickly
Start and finish your day early
We still have concerns for slab avalanches at higher elevations, conservative terrain is the answer to uncertainty
A crust with facets above it has produced several accidental and remotely triggered avalanches. This layer is most likely to be triggered on north and east aspects in the alpine.
Wet loose avalanches are likely in steep or extreme terrain when the snow surface is wet or slushy.
Several size 1.5 to 2.5 skier and remotely triggered slab avalanches were reported in the region late last week. These avalanches predominantly occurred on north and east aspects in the alpine. They failed on a layer of facets over a crust from mid April. See photos below.
Over the weekend numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported. These avalanches occurred primarily at treeline.
A thin crust may exist early in the morning on most terrain but it will break down quickly. The snow below is likely moist or wet. The exception to this is high north facing terrain where dry snow could still exist.
A thick crust, with facets above it, can be found down 10 to 40 cm at treeline and above. Previous wind may have scoured exposed features back to this crust.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong. At low elevations the snowpack is disappearing quickly.
Monday Night
Clear skies. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 7 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.
Wednesday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
