Cornices and wind slabs are possible at higher elevations. Be cautious as you climb and continually reassess conditions.
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Cloudy with light afternoon flurries (4-8 cm), moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 2000 m.FRIDAY: Wet flurries increasing overnight (5-15 cm), moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 2000 m.SATURDAY: Clearing throughout the day, strong southwest wind, freezing level dropping to 1500 m.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday. Several natural loose wet avalanches were observed in steep south-facing terrain on Tuesday. Increasing winds could build fresh wind slabs and warming may irritate cornices.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack has entered a daily melt-freeze cycle. Hard crusts form overnight and become moist surface snow during the heat of the day. The exception is north-facing alpine terrain, where dry snow and isolated wind slabs may exist. The December facets and November rain crust are buried deep, but have not been reactive for a few weeks.
Problems
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.
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.