Mild overnight alpine temps prevented a good overnight recovery. The sun and warm temps today will quickly break down crusts. Be very cautious on slopes where the snow is becoming moist. On steep solar aspects avalanche danger may rise to High.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A strong ridge of high pressure will bring strong sun and warm temps. Today alpine temps of 4'C with freezing levels to 2500m and generally light winds will rapidly break down the surface crust. Overnight a weak temp inversion will prevent a strong recovery. Thursday and Friday will be similar with freezing levels rising to 2800m.
Snowpack Summary
A spring melt-freeze cycle is just beginning on solar aspects and at lower elevations. Where it exists the surface crust is still relatively thin and will break down quickly. On shaded aspects the snow remained dry yesterday but that will change today. There are multiple crusts in the top meter. Wind slabs can be found in alpine lee features.
Avalanche Summary
Solar and warm temperatures have been triggering loose wet avalanches, as well as slab avalanches up to size 3 over the past few days. Recent activity has been primarily from sun exposed slopes, as temps had remained relatively cool at higher elevations with good overnight recoveries. Glide crack releases and cornice failures have been occurring.
Confidence