Solar input and rising temperatures in the alpine may trigger a natural avalanche cycle on solar slopes.
Avoid steep, rocky, wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Shifting winds have created wind slabs on a variety of aspects. Look for signs of wind effect on the snow surface as you move through the terrain.
Strong sun may increase the reactivity of wind slabs on steep, sun-affected slopes.
As temperatures rise and solar input increases throughout the day, loose wet avalanche activity is likely to increase on sunny slopes. Back off slopes as the snow surface becomes wet or moist.
On Saturday, a natural size 2, wind slab avalanche was reported near Birkenhead. The avalanche occurred on a northeast aspect at 2100 m. The crown was 20 -40 cm deep.
A few natural and skier-triggered wind slab avalanches were reported on all aspects. Evaluate slopes individually for slabs before committing to them.
10 to 30 cm of snow with strong southeast switching to northwest winds created wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain.
This new snow overlies a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes, faceted snow or large surface hoar in sheltered areas, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas.
A second crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep and may have a layer of surface hoar sitting above it. Recent tests show this layer as unreactive.
The remainder of the mid and lower snowpack is well-settled.
Snow depths at treeline are roughly 100 to 150 cm.
Sunday Night
Mainly clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
Mainly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. An above freezing layer develops between 1500 and 2500 m.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. An above freezing layer persists between 1500 and 2500 m.
Wednesday
Mainly sunny. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing levels 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
