Warmth is the main driver of avalanche hazard at the moment. Minimize your exposure to large slopes if the snowpack is becoming moist or wet.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Friday: Increasing cloud with a chance of showers. The freezing level peaks near 2800 m and ridge winds are moderate from the SW. Saturday: Moderate snow or rain 10-15 mm or cm. The freezing level is near 2000-2200 m and winds are moderate or strong from the SW. Sunday: Cloudy with a chance of showers/flurries. The freezing level is around 1800-2000 m and winds remain moderate from the W-SW.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday or Wednesday. On Sunday and Monday a few size 1-2 storm slabs from NW-NE aspects between 2000-2300 m were reported from the northern part of the region. One slide on Sunday was reported as a size 2.5 that may have been triggered by a cornice fall and appeared to release on the mid March crust. Warming a rain moved in by early Thursday which may have resulted in more widespread storm slab and wet activity.
Snowpack Summary
By early Thursday morning the temperatures began to rise and light rain was likely seen to ridgetop in most areas. This will have created moist or wet surface snow, which probably won't refreeze overnight unless it clears off. The mid March crust layer is now down 40-60cm, and possibly deeper on wind loaded features. Most recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. However, a snowpack test on Tuesday from the northern part of the region produced an easy sudden "pops" result on a crust/facet interface down 70 cm. This was on a northwest aspect near 2200 m.
Problems
Wet Slabs
Warming, showers, and periods of sun could trigger wet slab avalanches, which may move slowly but can run surprisingly far.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Space out and travel quickly through runout zones of avalanche paths.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Expect loose wet slides on steep south aspects if the sun comes out. These sluffs could gain considerable mass.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 27th, 2015 2:00PM
