Avalanche Forecast

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Tuesday: Sunny. Ridgetop wind light from the South and alpine temperatures near +5. Freezing levels 2300 m by the afternoon and dipping down to 1300 m overnight.

Wednesday: Sunny. Ridgetop winds light from the northwest and alpine temperatures near +7. Freezing levels 2500 m. 

Thursday: Wet flurries (5-15 mm) at upper elevations, rain lower. Freezing levels 2400 m. 

Over the weekend, reports of natural loose wet avalanches size 2-3 on solar aspects continued. Explosive work produced size 2-3.5 wet slab avalanches, failing on crusts in the upper snowpack and gouging to the ground as they ran to near valley bottom.

With all of this heat, sunshine, and little overnight crust recovery, I suspect this type of avalanche activity will continue through the forecast period. It's crucial to start early and end your day early as well as avoid solar slopes.  

The snow surface consists of a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and shaded aspects into the lower alpine, which transitions into moist/wet snow during the day. Dry snow might still be found on northerly aspects in the high alpine above 2200 m. There are no layers of concern in the snowpack, which has been melting and settling over the past week. Large cornices loom along many ridgelines. 

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• Avalanche hazard is expected to to increase througout the day, think carefully about your egress.
• Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Avoid lingering or regrouping in runout zones.