The sun will be out for extended periods and the freezing level is forecast to be higher than it has been in the past few days. As a result there may be an increase in wet loose avalanche activity on steep terrain facing the sun.
The sun will likely be out for extended periods so expect to see an increase in thin loose wet avalanche activity on steep terrain facing the sun.
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. The likelihood of human triggering is low given the layer's depth, but large triggers such as cornice failures or smaller avalanches in motion have the potential to produce very large avalanches with surprisingly wide propagation. Suspect terrain for human triggering includes steep, shallow, and rocky terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.
Recent reports include a few wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 and 2 in the alpine on solar aspects.
Recent snow accumulated over the past week overlies a crust on all terrain except north-facing slopes treeline and above. On these high northerly slopes, soft snow may overlie facets and surface hoar to mountain tops.
The remainder of the mid-snowpack is generally strong. The November facets are still prominent at the base of the snowpack. This layer remains a concern for human triggering in rocky, shallow, or thin-to-thick snowpack areas at treeline and above. Small avalanches and cornice falls also have the potential to trigger this deep layer.
Tuesday Night
Mainly clear. Light northeast wind. High of -8 °C at treeline. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. Light northeast wind. High of 0 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1900m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light northeast wind. High of -1 °C at treeline. Freezing level at 1800m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Light southwest wind. High of -3 °C at treeline. Freezing level 1600m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
