Watch for cornices and reactive slabs in wind-drifted areas near ridgetops.
Small wind slabs may lurk on slippery crusts on lee features below alpine ridgetops, formed by recent convective flurries and southwest winds.
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines. They are capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.
Tuesday night: Clear, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperatures near 0 C, freezing level staying elevated at 1800 m.
Wednesday: Increasing cloud, isolated light afternoon flurries with trace accumulations, strong southwest wind, treeline temperatures rising to 3 C, freezing level rising to 2200 m and dropping to valley bottom.
Thursday: Mainly cloudy, 10-20 cm of snow, light west wind, treeline temperatures near -5 C, freezing level rising to 1500 m and dropping to valley bottom.
Friday: Mainly sunny, moderate southwest wind, treeline temperatures near-2 C, freezing level rising to 1800 m and dropping to valley bottom.
On Monday and Tuesday, small wet loose avalanches were observed on steep sun-exposed slopes.
Small wind slabs may be found on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering avalanches when they fail.
Sunny alpine slopes become moist on Tuesday with strong sun and warm temperatures. 5-15 cm of recent dry snow can still be found at upper elevations in shady north-facing terrain.
The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. Snow line is gradually creeping up to higher elevations.
Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.
