Wind and new snow will increase the hazard at upper elevations.
Be cautious as you transition into open terrain.
Strong gusty winds and fresh snow will build a new windslab problem. Expect to find this problem most reactive in the lee sides of ridges or in cross loaded terrain in the alpine.
There were a few small loose snow avalanches from rocky/extreme terrain in the last couple days.
A field team on Wednesday observed a natural size 2 wind slab avalanche which started at ridge top and ran on north facing terrain. Explosive control on Wed produced a size 1.5 wind-slab from a tree-line slide path.
Last weekend there was a natural avalanche cycle triggered by strong sun and high freezing levels. All observed avalanches were loose/wet and no bigger than size 2.5.
Incoming new snow will fall on a series of crusts from the recent warm spring weather on all but high north aspects, which were still holding dry snow.
The Feb 3rd crust is the dominant mid-pack layer down ~110cms and still produces isolated planer results when tested.
Below tree-line, the snowpack has gone through many melt-freeze cycles, and is in spring conditions. Expect challenging travel at lower elevations.
Light precip & increased winds are forecast, as a low pressure system passes our area.
Tonight: Increasing cloud, isolated flurries. Alpine low of -8°C. Moderate SW ridgetop winds.
Sun: Flurries (9cm). Alpine High -5°C, Freezing level (FZL) 1500m. Mod gusting strong W winds.
Mon: Cloudy, isolated flurries. Low -7 °C, High -2 °C. FZL 1900m. Moderate W winds.
Tues: Mix of sun and cloud. Low -3 °C, High 4 °C. FZL 2500m.
