Early season conditions exist. Caution in gullies and wind loaded pockets at treeline and above.
Weather Forecast
No significant snow is forecast for the next 72 hours. Temperatures will warm marginally as the arctic air mass is replaced with a more temperate sw air flow. Freezing levels will however remain near the valley bottom until the weekend
Snowpack Summary
Field data is limited. Below 1700m there is no significant snow. At 2000m and above 30cm plus can be expected. Snow distribution will vary greatly with aspect, elevation, and exposure to the wind. Treeline and alpine gully features will be wind loaded as will some lee alpine slopes. Rocks and timber is marginally covered.
Avalanche Summary
No new. It is not uncommon at this time of year for climbers to trigger small avalanches from gully features. Even small rides over rocky terrain, or worse over cliffs, can have serious consequences.
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.