Expect the upper snowpack to weaken throughout the day with another day of warm temperatures and clear skies.
Cohesive surface slabs formed by recent warming and/or wind may sit over a crust and weak surface hoar or facets. This is most problematic in areas where greater amounts (>20 cm) of recent snow have accumulated over the weak layer.
Clear skies and above-freezing temperatures throughout the day will weaken the upper snowpack and likely lead to wet loose avalanche activity.
Minor sluffing, pinwheeling, and small loose wet avalanches were reported on Wednesday.
Otherwise, no recent slab avalanches have been reported.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please share your observations with the Mountain Information Network.
Either a thin surface crust or moist surface snow is expected by Friday morning, depending on the strength of the overnight freeze.
Continued above-freezing temperatures and sunny skies will likely create moist surfaces in terrain at all aspects and elevations by Friday afternoon.
A layer of surface hoar, buried in late January, is present in many areas approximately 5 to 15 cm below the surface, overlying a crust and/or faceted snow.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled, with no significant concerns.
Thursday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 3300 m.
Friday
Sunny. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
