Warm weather is heading our way starting Thursday so start early. The main warmup happens in the afternoon accompanied by strong winds. We expect the hazard to rise significantly on Friday with snow/rain and freezing levels forecast to reach 2800 m.
Windslabs exist near to ridge crests (within 50 meters) but seem to dissipate once you get down slope. Pay close attention near ridges and entrances to ski lines. Once you are down slope it's about 10-20 cm on crust.
This is generally an afternoon problem at low elevations. Ice climbers should ensure they are finished their routes early and be out of any gullies by mid-day at the latest.
The brief ridge of high pressure will move out of the area on Thursday as another Pacific system heads our way. Expect Thursday to start cold, then warm through the day and the clouds roll in for the afternoon with strong winds. No freeze overnight and Friday will see high freezing levels and some rain/snow.
15-20 cm of soft, dry snow sits on a firm crust on N aspects down to at least 2000 m. On solar and windward aspects, soft moist snow exists below ridge crests but has been away near ridges, which are barren. Solar aspects will be crust on Thursday morning. Windslabs exist in immediate leeward areas of ridges, but dissipate once down slope.
FIeld trip near Sunshine Village observed a size 1.5 windslab/cornice on a SE aspect and a fresh cornice failure on the N side. Otherwise no new avalanches reported or observed.
