The recently strong southwest winds are switching to northeasterly on Sunday. Wind slabs may be found on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Recent strong southwesterly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.
Forecast moderate northeast winds on Sunday may form fresh wind slabs reactive to human triggers.
Use high points in the terrain such as ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / Light northeast wind / Low of -12 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Sunday: Sunny / Moderate northeast wind / High of -3 / Freezing level 1000 m.
Monday: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate east wind / High of -8 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Strong east wind / High of -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.
Naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on all aspects on Friday.
Wet loose avalanches will become less likely as temperatures cool, but remain possible on sunny days.
3-15 cm of new snow buries a melt-freeze crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2000 m. A sun crust likely extends to mountain tops on solar aspects.
Recent strong westerly winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at treeline and above.
The prominent layer in the upper snowpack is a melt-freeze crust down 50-70 cm.
Cornices are very large and exposure to slopes beneath them should be minimized, especially if the weather is sunny, warm, or windy.
