Old snow from October and November continues to form a persistent weak layer of faceted snow on west-through-north-through-east aspects at the mid and upper elevations, as well as upper-elevation southeast slopes. While triggering an avalanche is becoming less likely, human-triggered avalanches 1–2 feet deep and up to 100 feet wide are still possible.

Photo (BC 101): A classic slab-over-weak-layer structure on northerly-facing terrain.

I can’t remember forecasting wet snow avalanches this close to the solstice before. Today, 700 mb (10,000') temperatures climb to +6 °C (42.8 °F) as high pressure takes control. That’s enough warming to put wet snow avalanches on the table across the range, on all aspects, and at all elevations.

On sunny slopes, the sun will warm the snow, and we can expect small, loose-wet avalanches throughout the day. On shady aspects at mid and upper elevations, the outcome is less certain. My hunch is that the snow surface has already seen some warmth and will remain firm and cold enough, especially with the low sun-angle. However, if you start seeing roller balls or unconsolidated, wet, mushy snow, it’s time to get out of there or head for low-angle terrain. Wet slabs are a mystery, but with these warm temps, I would be thinking about it.