Avalanche danger will rise on solar aspects as daytime heating and intense solar radiation occur. Winter-type avalanche problems, such as wind slabs, remain at higher elevations, especially on northerly aspects.
Weather Forecast
A thin layer of cloud is likely Wednesday with continued light winds. Freezing levels will climb to 2250m. No precipitation is forecasted.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new observed today.
Snowpack Summary
Sun crusts are present on SE, S, SW and W aspects. These crusts are melting each day and reforming at night. Cold, dry snow remains on northerly, sheltered slopes. Stability tests today show a moderate shear down 15cm and a hard shear down 35cm. These interfaces remain a concern where wind slabs exist in steep and unsupported terrain. Cornices are large in many areas.
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.
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.