As temperatures rise and new snow becomes heavy, slab avalanches are more likely to occur on the underlying weak faceted snow.
New snow combined with wind will form fresh slabs on top of the existing upper snowpack, which contains various potential weak layers. Warming will increase the sensitivity of these layers to triggering.
New moist snow combined with warming will increase the likelihood of wet avalanches. Danger is highest when snow is warmed for the first time.
On Wednesday, a group reported being able to ski cut wet slabs in the forest due to warming temperatures.
Small storm slab (up to size 1.5) avalanches have been reported recently.
Approximately 15 cm of new snow has accumulated on top of various surfaces formed during recent cold, dry conditions. These include firm wind effect in exposed terrain, weak surface hoar or faceted grains in sheltered terrain, and sun crusts on sun-affected slopes.
20 to 50 cm of generally faceted snow overlies a potentially weak layer buried in late January. In many areas, this layer consists of a hard crust along with weak facets or surface hoar.
The mid and lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Thursday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature warming to 0 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 10 mm of mixed precipitation. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 10 mm of mixed precipitation. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level 2200 m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
