15-25 cm of snow on Saturday created fresh storm slabs at treeline and above. Pay attention to changing conditions with elevation on Sunday.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm. / Moderate, westerly winds / Alpine low -2 C / Freezing level 1000 m.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy / Light, westerly winds / Alpine high -2 C / Freezing level 1000 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 1 C / Freezing level 1300 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with flurries; 3-5 cm / Light, southwesterly winds / Alpine high 2 C / Freezing level 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the region on Friday. However, avalanche activity is expected to increase on Sunday with the new snow and wind.
Snowpack Summary
15-20 mm. of precipitation on Saturday fell as moist snow at treeline and rain below which sits on a melt freeze crust. Warm temperatures and wet precipitation are producing a moist, spring snowpack. The snowpack depth decreases rapidly below 1200 m.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.