Steep south facing slopes could see a more rapid increase in avalanche hazard on Monday if weather forecasts come true. Be aware of overhead terrain and avoid terrain traps during periods of intense solar radiation.
Weather Forecast
Alpine temperatures will be warm overnight with a high near -3 degrees. Winds are expected to increase 70km/h out of the NW at ridgetop. A very small wave of precipitation is possible on Tuesday.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new.
Snowpack Summary
Moist snow on steep S and SW aspects in afternoon. Up to 20cm of recent snow in alpine areas remains low density except in wind prone areas. Previously formed hard slabs are still a concern in steep, convex terrain especially in shallow snowpack areas. At lower altitudes the snowpack continues to loose strength due to facetting.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.