Seek the shade for the best and safest riding.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
We'll see little change in the weather pattern: valley cloud and cool temperatures down low but sunny and warm up high. MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light wind. Freezing level near 1700m with an above freezing layer around 3000 m. Alpine high temperatures near +3.TUESDAY: Sunny with increasing cloud in the afternoon. Light to moderate west wind. Freezing level near 2000 m with a colder air layer in the valleys. WEDNESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light northerly winds. Freezing level near 1700 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the past few days there have been small wet loose avalanches reported on steep south (west) aspects above 2400m elevation. A previous wind slab cycle has slowed down over the last few days.
Snowpack Summary
On steep sunny slopes, warm temperatures up high will melt and weaken upper snowpack layers. Warming also has the potential to wake up more deeply buried crust layers. Recently formed wind slabs are gaining strength, but may still be found in the lee of ridges and terrain breaks primarily on north through south east aspects. Below tree line, the snowpack is shallow--look out for early season hazards like open creeks and tree stumps.
Problems
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.