Strong solar radiation will likely impact the recent storm snow.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, wind, and sun exposure.
Human-triggering wind slabs will remain possible on steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features. As recent wind varied in direction, watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Concern remains for human-triggering a persistent weak layer on sheltered north aspects above 2000 m. If triggered, avalanches will be large and destructive. Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Strong solar radiation will affect the recent storm snow. Wet loose avalanches will become likely throughout the day, especially on steep sun-exposed slopes where recent snow overlays a melt-freeze crust.
On Wednesday, skiers triggered small storm / wind slabs on steep convexities at treeline and dry loose avalanches on steep sheltered slopes throughout the region. A natural avalanche cycle occurred Tuesday night during the storm where numerous slabs and loose dry avalanches (size 1 to 2) were triggered over steep northerly alpine terrain.
20 to 40 cm of recent snow is found above 1600 m with greater amounts in northerly alpine terrain. This overlies a moist snow surface or a crust on all aspects, except north-facing slopes above 2000 m where dry snow remained. Recent reverse-loading has redistributed snow into southerly alpine slopes. The storm snow is rapidly settling at treeline and becoming moist on solar aspects.
The facet/crust layer that produced large avalanches during early March is buried 80-150 cm deep. While no recent avalanche activity has been observed on this layer, it continues to produce concerning snowpack test results. It has become a low-probability, high-consequence problem on north-facing slopes above 2000 m.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 25 to 35 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
