Regions
South Coast Inland.
Wind has developed slabs around ridges and in lee terrain at upper elevations. If the sun comes out and temperatures rise, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as the snowpack warms, especially in areas with fresh snow.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Flurries, 5-15 cm / west wind, 10-30 km/h / alpine low temperature -3 C / freezing level 1700 mTUESDAY: Near the Duffey a mix of sun, cloud, and isolated flurries; and closer to the Coq, scattered flurries, up to 10 cm accumulation / west wind, 10-20 km/h / alpine high temperature -1 C / freezing level 2000 mWEDNESDAY: Flurries, 5-10 cm snow / southwest wind, 15 gusting to 45 km/h / alpine high temperature -4 C / freezing level 1500 mTHURSDAY: Sun, cloud, and isolated flurries, trace to 5 cm / alpine high temperature -1 C / freezing level 1800 m
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle to size 2 likely occurred overnight Saturday; slab avalanches to size 2 were observed on north-northeasterly aspects around ridgetops and in recently loaded lee features on Sunday. Explosives also triggered small (size 1-1.5) wind slab avalanches on north to west aspects about 2000 m.On Saturday, small wind slab pockets were reactive to skiers in cross-loaded features at treeline near the Duffey.The likelihood of triggering loose wet avalanches will increase on if the sun shines, especially in areas with fresh snow.
Snowpack Summary
Southwesterly winds have redistributed recent snowfall, forming slabs at ridgetop and in immediate lee terrain. This covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar and on high north-facing terrain.Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.
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 Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.