Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1
A hard refreeze last night and continued gusty winds may keep surface snow from softening to concerning levels today. However, some surface softening should be expected on solar aspects. Do your own localized assessments and be ready to retreat if surface melt becomes concerning, particularly if today’s winds underperform the forecast.
Expect more easterly terrain to warm first followed by due south aspects and finally westerly aspects as the sun moves through the sky. Be particularly cautious at lower elevations and in areas near rock outcroppings, cliff bands, and tight southerly facing couloirs where the effects of warming are amplified. Wet, sticky snow surface, rollerballs and pinwheels, and increasing boot penetration are all signs of surface warming and may foreshadow larger point release avalanches.