Dogtooth

Sun and warmth will likely increase the avalanche danger.

Plan your route to avoid any exposure to overhead cornices.

High

• We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of warming will affect the snowpack.

Large cornice failures continue every day; the warm temperatures are making them more likely to fall.

Small wet loose avalanches have begun and are likely to become more widespread with sun and warmth.

A thin crust has formed on south-facing terrain from recent solar radiation and overnight refreeze. On shaded aspects, 10 to 15 cm of soft snow overlies wind-affected, consolidated snow.

Below this, 20 to 60 cm overlies a thick crust from the March atmospheric river, which extends up to at least 2200 m.

Various persistent weak layers may still exist in the top 150 cm of the snowpack and in shallow snowpack areas, depth hoar (large facets) can be found near the bottom of the snowpack. Large triggers, like falling cornices, may be able to trigger these layers at upper elevations where the crust below the recent snow is thin or absent.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 2 mm of rain in the afternoon below 2200 m, snow above. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level falling to 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Start your day early and be out of avalanche terrain during the heat of the day.