It’s a mixed bag out there. Wet loose and persistent slabs are both possible or even likely.
Choose conservative terrain and Check out our latest forecaster video for advice.
A crust with facets above it has produced several accidental and remotely triggered avalanches. This layer is most likely to be triggered on north and east aspects at upper treeline and in the alpine.
Wet loose avalanches are likely in steep or extreme terrain when the snow surface is wet or slushy.
Several size 1.5 to 2.5 skier and remotely triggered slab avalanches have been reported in the region over the past few days. These avalanches predominantly occurred on north and east aspects in the alpine. They failed on a layer of facets over a crust from mid April. See photos below.
The snow surface will likely become moist or wet on all aspects and elevations except the highest elevation north facing terrain.
A thick crust, with facets above it, can be found down 10 to 40 cm at treeline and above. Previous wind may have scoured exposed features back to this crust.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong. At low elevations the snowpack is disappearing quickly.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2900 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 mm of rain at treeline. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
