The intensity of the sun is key. If you find yourself basking in the heat of the sun, this should to be an indicator to you of increasing danger.
Weather Forecast
Mainly sunny conditions with some afternoon clouds building, mild winter temperatures (-10 to -2) and moderate westerly wind gusts expected for Wednesday. Light snow with increasing intensity is forecast through to the end of the week.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storm snow has settled into a soft slab condition, especially in the alpine where the wind gusts have been in the moderate to strong range. Below tree line, warm temperatures have created moist surface conditions especially on solar aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Several slabs have been observed on lee slopes in the alpine. Whumphing and shooting cracks seen and felt today at treeline in conservative terrain reacting on the Feb. facet interface. The natural cycle has slowed down but we expect to see avalanche activity increase when the solar effect is strongest.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
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.