Carefully assess the wind slab hazard as you gain elevation. Limit exposure to slopes with cornices above.
New wind slabs will likely be found in exposed treeline and alpine terrain. Winds have varied in direction over the past couple days so watch for wind slab on all aspects. These new slabs likely won't bond well to the underlying surfaces.
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. They are a significant hazard alone and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely when the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
wet loose avalanches will likely occur in steep terrain as the sun comes out.
Tuesday night: no new snow expected. Light to moderate west winds and a low of -9 at 1500 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Light southeast winds and freezing levels rising to 1800 m.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow with light to moderate southeast winds. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 2200 m.
No new avalanches were reported on Monday.
Avalanche activity in the last week has consisted of large cornice failures on north and east-facing slopes. For the most part, these have not triggered avalanches on the slopes below.
10 to 20 cm of new snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including wind effected surfaces, facets and a crust on solar aspects. Below this a melt-freeze crust can be found on all aspects down 20 to 40 cm to 2200 m and mountain tops on solar slopes. Moist snow will likely be observed on solar aspects.
Another prominent crust layer is found 40-80 cm deep.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy. The snowpack deteriorates rapidly at lower elevations.
