Avalanche hazard will increase over the day as daytime warming and solar input weaken the upper snowpack. Pay attention to changing snow conditions on solar aspects if the snow becomes moist or wet.
Isolated glide slab avalanches have been observed in the last two days. Pay attention to these unpredictable hazards and minimize your exposure to terrain below them.
Expect steep and rocky slopes on solar aspects to destabilize over the course of the day as warming and increased solar input weaken the upper snowpack. Rising freezing levels could trigger small, loose dry natural avalanches in steep terrain failing in the recent storm snow on polar aspects as well.
On Tuesday, one large size 3.5, glide slab avalanche was observed midday in the Mounds slide path off Mt. Tupper. As well as isolated, wet loose natural avalanches up to size 2 from solar aspects.
On Monday, one glide slab avalanche, size 2.5 was observed.
On Saturday, a few small size 1.0 dry-loose avalanches were observed running from steep, rocky terrain features.
Diurnal temperature swings are creating solid crusts on solar aspects in the morning. Strong solar inputs are breaking down crusts, turning the snow to moist in the afternoon. Surface hoar is growing in shaded, sheltered areas. 5-15cm of recent HST can be found on polar aspects.
The snowpack is generally strong and settled, however, the basal weakness of rounding facets/decomposing crust near the ground will remain a concern until the end of the season.
High pressure ridge holds till Friday when a weak trough of low pressure takes it place.
Tonight: Clear, -5*C, light winds, Fz lvl valley bottom
Wednesday: Cloudy w/sunny periods, Alp high -1*C, light NE winds, Fz lvl 1900m
Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud, Alp High -1*C, light SW winds, Fz lvl 1900m
