With little to no overnight refreeze the avalanche hazard will be elevated from the start of the day. Choose conservative terrain.
As the freezing level rises and solar input increases the likelihood of natural cornice failures will also increase. Do not travel on cornices and avoid traveling on slopes with cornices above. Cornice falls can trigger large avalanches on the slope below.
The likelihood of wet loose avalanches will continue to increase as freezing levels rise. With warm temperatures expected over night we do not expect a spring diurnal cycle but rather a steady increase in hazard.
In shallow snowpack areas, where facets are more likely to be found at the base of the snowpack, deep persistent slab avalanches may become reactive again as the freezing level rises.
Further up in the snowpack there are layers of facets, crusts and surface hoar. These layers may also produce slab avalanches as the snowpack looses strength due to warming.
Avalanche observations are limited this time of year but we are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the high freezing levels in the forecast.
Please help out your fellow backcountry users by filling out a Mountain Information Network report.
Moist or wet snow will likely be found at all elevations and on all aspects. Below treeline the snowpack is quickly diminishing.
The mid- and lower-snowpack is generally well-settled. In some areas, the lower snowpack may have a layer of weak facets near the ground.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy with no precipitation expected. Moderate westerly wind and Freezing levels at or just below mountain tops.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with a few mm of rain possible. Moderate to strong westerly winds and freezing level rising above mountain tops.
Thursday
Sunny with no new precipitation expected. Moderate to strong northwest winds and freezing level to 3000 m.
Friday
Sunny with no new precipitation expected. Light to moderate westerly winds and freezing levels rising to 3500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
