Confidence: High.     Distribution: Specific to wind loaded aspects (E-N-W).   Sensitivity: Reactive.

On Wednesday evening a strong SE wind event caused new wind slabs to build on lee aspects E-N-W above treeline. The drifted storm snow will be more likely to trigger from thin areas in the terrain, such as underlying rocks, cliffs, or vegetation. Keep in mind the possible loading and cross loading patterns, look/listen for slabby snow underfoot. If you venture into avalanche terrain, reduce your exposure by traveling one-at-a-time across suspect slopes, and be mindful of any terrain traps below you where all this new snow can pile up extremely deep.

Very sunny weather means strong solar radiation. Sun weakens snow, especially on un-supported slopes and around cornices (see cornice problem below).

The deep persistent problem has been taken off for now. These layers have not seen recent activity and are considered dormant.

Confidence: High.     Distribution: Specific to wind loaded aspects (E-N-W).   Sensitivity: Reactive.

Recent SE winds have amplified cornices along ridges and on mountain tops. Solar radiation weakens cornices and increases the likelihood. Minimize your time spent under cornices and lookout for run-out with looming cornices above. On ridgelines they are difficult to judge from above and usually always break further back than expected. They are more reactive when the sun comes back in the spring.

Confidence: High.     Distribution: Specific to solar aspects.   Sensitivity: Reactive.

Last week’s daytime temperatures reached forty degrees at 2500′ Flower Mountain SNOTEL. Many southerly slopes at lower elevation have been active. Solar radiation and warm daytime temperatures will increase the likelihood of wet avalanches at lower elevations and around shallow terrain features.