Sun can quickly change the snow conditions. Avoid steep slopes if the snow is moist, and stay clear of cornices, which may weaken and threaten slopes below, triggering a persistent slab.
Recent incremental accumulated snow is being redistributed by moderate wind over various old surfaces: wind-pressed in exposed terrain, softer settling snow in sheltered terrain and a sun crust on solar-facing slopes.
A layer of facets over a crust is buried 80 to 150cm, there have been no new reports of avalanches on this layer and is likely difficult to trigger with the stable weather but may become reactive again this weekend with warming temperatures.
The sun can pack a punch! Use caution on slopes facing the sun and back off if the snow becomes moist and or wet. Pinwheels and natural avalanches are your initial signs of instability.
No new avalanche activity has been reported.
We suspect solar radiation may trigger natural wet loose avalanches on sun-facing slopes on Friday.
Recent incremental accumulation of light snow is being redistributed by moderate west wind developing isolated wind slabs.
Below this most recent snow there are various old surfaces. Wind-pressed in exposed terrain. Settled soft snow and/or faceted in sheltered north aspect and sun crust on solar-facing slopes.
A persistent weak layer of facets and crust is buried 80 to 150 cm deep, extending up to about 1400 m. The greatest concern for triggering comes from large loads, such as cornice falls, or from human triggering in areas where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Sunny. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
