A temperature inversion last night, and mostly clear skies, helped middle and lower elevation slopes re-freeze. However, some upper elevation weather sensors are reporting night time lows near or above freezing. Above average temperatures again today may thaw the snowpack quickly. Sunny skies and light winds can increase initial warming. Thin and hazy clouds that are forecasted for this afternoon may hold in solar radiation which could worsen surface snow melting on all aspects. As surface snow melts it loses cohesion and becomes increasingly unstable. Loose wet avalanches become possible, especially where the thawing is fastest and penetrates the snowpack deepest. Rollerballs or pinwheels and small sluffing can indicate that conditions are deteriorating. One way you can track the warming yourself is by noting how deeply your feet sink into the snow. Boot-top penetration means that the snow may be wet enough to slide. Plan to be off of warming slopes before that happens. Some loose wet avalanches big enough to injure or bury a person could be possible today. But even smaller wet sluffs can be dangerous. Several recent avalanches were observed yesterday that were relatively small but would have slammed a trapped rider into trees. Be aware of terrain traps around you.
As the snow melts at upper elevations rockfall and cornice failure can become problems as well. Early in the day, before thawing, hard frozen surfaces may cause slide-for-life conditions. A simple fall in steep terrain may have increased consequences. In many instances this can be a greater danger than small loose wet sluffs. Crampons, ice axes, and a helmet will help reduce your vulnerability if you are exposed to the risk of a slip and fall.
