Avalanche Forecast

No new avalanches have been reported since last week.

Generally, spring is advancing and the winter snowpack is melting away, at least at lower elevations.

High-elevation shady, north-facing slopes with dry snow is where slab avalanche problems are more likely. The new snow rests on a widespread crust; the exception is on north-facing alpine slopes where the storm snow could be sitting on old faceted surfaces, or on surface hoar in some sheltered areas.

Elsewhere, a thick rain crust or settled moist snow exists at the surface. Avalanche danger will be closely coupled to daytime warming and melting. The more the crust weakens, and the deeper the wetness goes, the greater the hazard from wet loose avalanches.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. In some areas, the lower snowpack may have a layer of weak facets near the ground.

Monday night

Mostly clear with cloudy periods. Light to moderate southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 to -5 C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and light snow. A trace to maybe 10 cm in areas. Mostly light south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing levels around 1600 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Mostly light south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing levels around 1700 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Mostly light west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing levels around 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
• Keep in mind the crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.