Although it is forecast to stay relatively cool during the day, the intensity of the sun will increase the likelihood of thin wet loose avalanches running on steep solar aspects during the warmest part of the day.
A layer of facets sitting on a crust buried in January has recently been reactive. Most likely triggers would be around thin spots or with a heavy load like a cornice fall or the weight of a smaller avalanche in motion stepping down.
As surface snow loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches may become common in steeper terrain.
There was a skier remote triggered (from a distance) cornice fall which subsequently triggered a size 3 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 1750m on Saturday. The trigger point was at a thin spot on top of a flat ridgetop. The fracture was 200cm deep and was suspected of running on a layer of facets sitting on a crust buried in January.
Let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Slopes facing the sun are likely moist or have a thin surface crust. 5 to 15 cm of new snow falling late last week sits on wind-pressed surfaces in the alpine. Soft older snow may be found in shady, wind-sheltered areas. A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now over 1 m deep in most areas and was responsible for an avalanche release recently. The lower snowpack consists of basal facets, particularly in thin snowpack areas.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, accumulation 2-3cm, light to moderate west and northwest wind, alpine temperature around -11 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine temperature around -9°C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 2-4cm, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature around -6 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with scattered flurries, accumulation 1-2cm, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature around -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
