Snow followed by the spring sun is the right recipe for loose wet avalanches late Monday through Tuesday. If Monday brings sun expect moderate hazards at all elevations.
Weather Forecast
Light NE winds through late Sunday. Turning to a light to moderate westerly flow through the rest of the week with clear skies. Expected snow fall amounts ranging from 5 to 15 cm anticipated to begin late Sunday through Monday.
Snowpack Summary
The forecast region received only a few centimeters on new snow since last Tuesday. Snow has been disappearing fast at lower elevations and south facing aspects, but wind loaded gulleys and north facing slope in the alpine are still holding snow. Colder temperatures have improved snowpack stability.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanche activity observed in the forecast region. Uncertain snowfall amounts followed by light to moderate west winds may create isolated wind slabs. Once the sun returns, loose wet avalanches are expected on steep solar aspects.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday
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.
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.