Stay alert to changing snow conditions with elevation. Fresh wind slabs may exist below alpine ridgetops.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light to moderate westerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level up to 2000 m after a weak overnight freeze.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1800 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southerly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday in this region.
Snowpack Summary
The freezing level on Friday was hovering around 2200m in most areas. Slight cooling overnight coupled with mostly cloudy skies will likely result in the formation of a thin surface crust that will break down during the day on Saturday. At higher elevations, new snow and wind have likely formed small wind slabs and cornices remain large and looming. The snowpack is well settled and continues to transition into a spring snowpack. The bottom third of the snowpack is composed of weak facets, but this deep persistent weakness has not been reactive for a few weeks.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.