Above freezing temperatures are forecasted for higher elevations over the next couple days. Carefully consider the over head hazard of your trip, especially if it is exposed to the sun.
There is a large degree of uncertainty about how the snowpack will react to the forecasted above freezing temperatures in the alpine and tree line over the next couple days. Steep, rocky, and south facing slopes are prime suspects for surprising avalanches in these conditions.
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Two relatively fresh size two slab avalanches were observed on the steep south facing aspects of Nigel Peak late in the afternoon of Jan 25.
Widespread wind effect at alpine and treeline has formed wind slabs over a weak faceted mid pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are faceting and often surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at treeline, and thins quickly below treeline.
Monday
Sunny
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High 2 °C.
Ridge wind west: 10-30 km/h.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High 0 °C.
Ridge wind west: 10-30 km/h.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -7 °C, High -4 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h.
