Avoid being in or under avalanche terrain.
Sun and high temperatures are making large natural avalanches likely.
80-150 cm of settling snow sits over a weak layer of faceted snow and spotty surface hoar on a firm crust. Rising freezing levels and solar input will increase the likelihood of triggering this layer.
Warming and periods of sun will produce widespread wet loose avalanches, especially on steep sun-exposed slopes. These may step-down and trigger deeper slab avalanches.
On Friday morning, widespread avalanche activity had already started in very steep, rocky terrain.
As freezing levels remain elevated, we expect avalanche activity to increase in both size and frequency.
On Sunday, a sledder accidentally triggered a size 2.5 wind slab avalanche on a west aspect at 1580 m on Mt Beadnell, commonly referred to as the Adrian riding area. This resulted in a critical burial, serious injuries, and helicopter evacuation.
As sunny days and high freezing levels continue, more of the upper snowpack will get moist or wet. This will make the upper snowpack more unstable, including any persistent weak layers under the most recent snow, including a layer of large feathery surface hoar observed in the Mt. Cain area.
80 to 120 cm below the snow surface, a layer of softer, faceted snow overlies a crust on all but high north aspects.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Friday Night
Clear. Light east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around 11 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. Moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline low around 10 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. Moderate to strong south ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 10 °C.
Monday
Sunny. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
