Use caution in wind effected terrain, wind slab over facets, surface hoar or a crust remains the primary concern.
Warming temps and solar input could increase the likelihood of avalanches.
Outflow wind has impacted open terrain on all aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. The resulting wind slabs are bonding poorly to the underlying crust.
Only small dry loose and wind slabs have been reported recently.
Surface conditions are highly variable. Wind effect can be found on all exposed slopes. A new crust exists on the surface below 1500 m and likely up to mountain tops on south aspects. In sheltered terrain A new layer of surface hoar overlies soft snow. In the afternoon the snow surface could become moist as the freezing level rises.
Check out this MIN describing conditions in the region.
A widespread crust exists 25-40 cm below the surface, and surface hoar has been found above the crust in some parts of the region - a dangerous combination anywhere wind slab exists above it. The snowpack is strong and bonded below the crust.
Conditions remain rugged at lower elevations.
Sunday Night
Sky clearing throughout the night with trace amounts of new snow possible. 5 to 10 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -1°C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 15 km/h south alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow possible in the alpine. 10 to 20 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of new snow possible in the alpine. 5 to 15 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level around 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
