Warming can rapidly destabilize the snowpack. Back of slopes when the snow gets moist and give cornices a lot of space.
Warm overnight temperatures and even warmer daytime temperatures can rapidly destabilize the snowpack. Back off slopes when snow surfaces get moist or wet. Cornices may also loose cohesion and fail naturally.
Evidence of slab development in the fresh storm snow was reported Thursday, and yesterday (Friday) solar warming triggered an avalanche, included in this MIN.
Up to 25 cm of dry snow may persist on shady, high-elevation slopes. In most areas, a widespread crust caps the snowpack, this crust will soften quickly under the sun and with daytime warming.
Wet surface snow or an isothermal snowpack may be found as temperatures rise. The mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong. At lower elevations, spring is quickly approaching.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear with patchy cloud. Northwest ridgetop wind gusting to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature low 0 °C. Freezing level near 1500 m.
Sunday
Sunny. Northwest ridgetop wind 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature high +8 °C. Freezing level rising above 2500 m.
Monday
Partly cloudy and clearing. Northwest ridgetop wind 30-50 km/h. Treeline temperature +9 °C. Freezing level up to 3000 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with flurries, up to 5 mm. Southwest ridgetop wind 20-40 km/h. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level falling.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
