Rising temperatures and freezing levels will increase the likelihood of triggering avalanches.
Steep terrain at all elevations are most likely to produce wet loose avalanches. Be cognizant of you location in the terrain as even a small wet avalanche could push you over a cliff or into a terrain trap.
We suspect a natural wet loose avalanche cycle occurred on Tuesday due to rain and high freezing levels.
On Sunday, avalanche control work produced several small (size 1) storm slabs and one persistent slab avalanche that failed on the deep layer from December, estimated to be down 50 to 70 cm deep.
Wet snow surfaces may exist to mountain top. Strong to moderate south west wind is forming new wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and at treeline. In specific areas that are protected from the wind, surface hoar has been located and found down up to 20 cm.
The mid to lower snowpack contains a few crust/facet layers including one buried in mid December, now 50 to 80 cm deep.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Friday
Sunny. 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
