With better overnight freezes and clearer nights, it might be time to start thinking about getting E & S facing aspects early in the day to start getting some corn snow. The full snowpack is far from a spring snowpack, but we are slowly heading that way.
Recently formed wind slabs will be found on lee and cross-loaded terrain due to extreme west winds in the past 36hrs. Also watch for previously formed wind slabs on all aspects due to a period of northerly winds. These slabs will be more reactive where they are overlying a temperature crust.
The Feb crust has been the main bed surface for many avalanches this winter. Slopes and features that have not slid should be treated cautiously or just avoided. Dig and look.
Facets near the base of the snowpack may be triggered from thin areas and this season there are lots of thin areas. Dont try to outsmart the snowpack and stick to conservative terrain until we get into a good spring diurnal cycle.
No new avalanches observed or reported today
Thanks for this great MIN, quick, easy and paints the spring picture well.
Crusts are found on all aspects below 2400m, and higher on solar aspects. Strong westerly winds yesterday and last night redistributed a lot of snow at upper elevations and wind slabs are found in alpine areas along ridgelines and in lee and cross-loaded features.
An important thing to consider at this time of year is the quality of the freeze overnight. Avalanche danger can change from low in the cool mornings to high in the hot afternoons. The timing of this change is important to monitor so plan you trips with these factors in mind.
What will Wednesday bring?
A mix of sun and cloud and a predicted good overnight freeze. Day time high's of -6 will keep the snow from deterioting to much and Light winds out of the West.
Freezing levels to rise to 2100m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
