While spring-like weather has arrived, the snowpack continues to adjust and stabilize. Large persistent slab avalanches remain possible, particularly on steep northerly alpine slopes.
A persistent weak layer of faceted snow surrounding a firm crust is buried 100 to 200 cm deep and has proven to be reactive in recent days.
Watch for surface snow becoming moist and back off steep slopes while solar radiation is intense.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
A few large (up to size 3) natural persistent slab avalanches have occurred in recent days. One size 3 may have been remotely triggered. These large avalanches have occurred on northwest through east-facing slopes in the alpine.
A strong, supportive crust is expected on the surface on all aspects at treeline and on all but north-facing terrain in the alpine. Below treeline, a full overnight refreeze may not occur, resulting in moist snow or a thin, weak, breakable crust. Wind-affected surfaces are likely in north-facing alpine terrain.
Surface crusts are expected to soften and weaken through the day with warming temperatures and solar input.
A thick crust with weak faceted snow is buried roughly 100 to 200 cm deep and continues to produce large, surprising avalanches.
