It is spring-time, so if temperatures rise higher than forecasted today, expect solar aspects to have a higher danger rating later in the day.
Weather Forecast
Clearing skies this morning will bring cooler temperatures and see the freezing levels drop to valley bottom. A mix of sun and cloud is expected for the rest of today, along with freezing levels rising to 1200m and light to moderate SW winds. Unsettled weather is forecasted this weekend, with several storm pulses expected.
Snowpack Summary
A 5-10cm dusting overnight sits on a rain crust below 1700m and generally wind-affected surfaces above tree-line. Travel has become easier with the settling of last week's storm snow. The March 2 crust is down 1m, while the Feb 10 interface is down 1.5-2m. Below this, the mid to lower snowpack is well settled.
Avalanche Summary
In the highway corridor, several size 1.5 to 3 moist avalanches were observed from solar aspects yesterday, all from tree-line elevations or below. A report of a healthy size 2 slab was observed from the steeper terrain on the east side of Glacier Crest.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.