Avalanche danger rises with sun and warming—start and finish early.
Use extra caution in large alpine terrain; deeply buried weak layers may persist.
A layer of weak, faceted snow with a firm crust is buried 100 to 200 cm deep and continues to periodically produce large avalanches. Warming temperatures and solar radiation may increase its reactivity.
Wet loose avalanches are most likely during periods of direct solar input and as temperatures rise later in the day.
No new avalanches reported.
We suspect the current weather is driving the avalanche danger in the afternoons, producing wet loose avalanches up to size 2.
Large (up to size 3) persistent slab avalanches have been reported periodically over the past couple of weeks, likely during periods of warming, solar radiation, and/or wind loading. The most recent report occurred within the past few days on an east aspect at approximately 1700 m (see photo below for details).
A melt freeze crust likely exists in terrain at treeline and above, except in high-alpine terrain, particularly on north aspects, where dry, wind-affected snow may persist. At lower elevations, limited overnight refreezing is likely to result in a moist or isothermal upper snowpack. With daytime warming and sun, the upper snowpack will weaken throughout the day.
A layer of weak, sugary snow over a thick crust is buried 100 to 200 cm and continues to produce large, surprising avalanches.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Sunny. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Thursday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Friday
Sunny. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
