Sun can quickly change snow conditions. Avoid steep slopes if the snow is moist, and stay well clear of cornices, which may weaken and threaten slopes below.
Persistent weak layers of crust/facets or surface hoar are buried in the upper 250 cm of the snowpack. Distribution seems spotty, and signs of instability may not be evident.
Even brief periods of sun can be enough to trigger wet loose avalanches in steep terrain, especially on slopes that have not slid recently.
A wet loose avalanche cycle has occurred over the last couple of days during periods of warming and sun at lower elevations and south-facing slopes at higher elevations.
Crusty surfaces are present across most terrain, except in high alpine north-facing areas, where dry, wintry snow can still be found, and isolated wind slabs may linger. On solar aspects and lower elevations, surface crusts are expected to soften with daytime warming and solar input.
Several persistent weak layers are buried up to 250 cm deep. While triggering these layers is becoming unlikely, they present a low-probability, high-consequence problem. A cornice fall (large load) may be enough to trigger this slab.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 2 to 3 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline in the North of the region, no precipitation forecast for the South. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
