Be cautious of reactive deposits of fresh snow around ridges and in lee terrain. As freezing levels rise or the snowpack turns moist, the likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase, especially in areas with fresh snow.
The recent storm snow is settling with rising temperatures. Pockets of reactive snow may lurk around ridges and steep rolls in the alpine and high treeline elevations. Older wind slabs may hide under fresh snow.
As temperatures rise or the sun warms and moistens the snowpack, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation / southwest wind, 20-50 km/h / alpine low -3 C / freezing level 1500 m
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / southwest wind, 25 gusting to 55 km/h / alpine high 0 C / freezing level 2000 m
THURSDAY: Snow and wet flurries, 15-25 cm rain and snow / southwest wind, 30-55 km/h / alpine high +2 C / freezing level 2300 m
FRIDAY: Cloudy with scattered wet flurries, 5-10 cm / west wind, 15-30 km/h / alpine high +2 C / freezing level 2000 m
On Monday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 storm slab from 10 m away on a steep north-facing feature in the alpine; the crown was 20-30 cm deep. A size 2 natural avalanche was observed on a steep east aspect at 2200; the crown was 50 cm deep.
On Sunday, two size 2 storm slab avalanches were triggered by skiers on east aspects at 2200 m. A group of backcountry skiers remote triggered a size 2 storm slab avalanche from 50 m away, failing on a southeast slope at 2250 m. One natural size 2 storm slab avalanche was observed on a steep, north aspect also around 2200-2300 m.
Sun and rising freezing levels are settling the 20-40 cm recent snow on all slopes to 2000 m and sunny slopes in the alpine. Where dry snow remains, pockets of reactive storm snow have developed around ridges and lee features. A total of 50-65 cm snowfall through April now overlies a melt-freeze crust and, in select areas, facets or surface hoar.
Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.
