Last day with a good previous overnight freeze on Thursday before the weather changes. Use caution on solar aspects and at lower elevations if the snowpack warms up faster than expected. The wind has also been back at work, moving snow into thin wind slabs at tree line and above.
South west winds have redistributed last weeks snow into thin wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded features. Use caution as you transition into wind effected terrain
The bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak with well-developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Large triggers like cornices can still initiate this deep persistent slab so be mindful of your overhead hazard and keep in mind that human triggering remains possible in thick to thin snowpack areas.
Only isolated small loose dry avalanches in steep alpine terrain have been observed in the region in the last few days.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Moderate to strong winds have redistributed the dusting of new snow from last week. Under this there is a sun crust at all elevations on solar aspects, with mixed facets on polar aspects. The mid-pack consists of multiple layers of dense wind effected snow, sun crusts, and facets. Depth hoar and basal facets make up the base of the snowpack. Snow depth varies ranges from 60-170cm.
On Thursday mainly sunny conditions with increasing cloudiness by the afternoon, and Southwesterly ridgetop winds 30-40 km/h. Freezing levels will rise to between 1800 and 2000 m, with an alpine high of -3°C. On Friday an increasingly robust southwesterly upper level flow will move in with increasing winds, rising temperatures, and some light precipitation.
