As freezing levels rise, the likelihood for large cornice failures and wet loose avalanches will increase. Start early and plan to be off large slopes before the heat of the day.
Check out the latest Forecaster's Blog for more information on managing current conditions.
Strong solar radiation and warming may trigger the large cornices that hang over ridge lines. Cornice falls are a hazard on their own, but could also trigger avalanches on the slopes below.
With potential for no overnight refreeze, expect natural and human triggered wet loose avalanches on a variety of aspects and elevations. Danger will be greatest on steep sun exposed slopes.
The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you'll want to be with your terrain selection. Wet loose avalanches can entrain a lot of snow and cross elevation bands..
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear / light, northeast wind / alpine low +3 / Freezing level 2600 m.
SATURDAY: Sunny / light southwest wind switching to northwest late afternoon / alpine high temperature +11 / Freezing level 2800 m.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated showers or flurries; 3-9 cm / moderate northeast wind / alpine high temperature +3 / Freezing level dropping to 1400 m through out the day.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy / light northerly winds / alpine high +3 / freezing level 1800 m.
Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches from size 1-2.5 were reported in the last couple of days.
As freezing levels continue to rise and remain elevated overnight, the likelihood for large cornice failures and wet loose avalanches will increase. Cornice failures could trigger deeply buried weak layers on steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.
Lingering wind slabs may still be reactive in isolated locations on steep northerly aspects in the alpine that still have dry snow. All other terrain has been undergoing a melt-freeze cycle with successive days of warm sunny weather. Things will be "more melt, less freeze" on Saturday as we do not expect a good overnight recovery.
Strong solar radiation and warming will trigger more wet loose avalanches on Saturday as the snow loses cohesion. Cornices are large and fragile. Cornice falls could trigger avalanches on the slopes below.
The snowpack is overall strong and settled, although intense warming could potentially weaken deeper layers in steep, rocky terrain with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.
The snow line is slowly creeping up the mountains, making some access areas snow-free.
Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.
