It’s a good time to explore more complex terrain, but be cautious around cornices if the sun comes out.
Cornices are large this time of year and can break farther back than expected and possibly trigger slabs below. Give them a wide berth when traveling along ridgetops.
Avalanche activity slowed over the weekend after Friday’s warm, sunny weather triggered several wet loose avalanches and large cornice falls (up to size 2.5), some of which initiated slabs up to 1.5 m deep.
Mostly cloudy, cool weather should keep avalanche activity unlikely, but sunshine could still possibly trigger small wet loose avalanches or cornices.
Dry snow may linger on high shady north slopes, with isolated flurries adding up to 5 cm.
The snowpack is generally well-settled and strong, with a typical spring diurnal pattern. Daytime warming moistens the upper snowpack, and overnight cooling usually forms a hard crust at higher elevations. Lower elevations may not refreeze and are melting out quickly.
Dormant weak layers may still exist in isolated alpine terrain, but likely need a heavy trigger, like a cornice fall, to trigger.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Tuesday
Sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
