Warm temperatures and sun are forecast for the alpine on Saturday 😎
Avoid cornices and limit exposure to slopes that become moist or wet.
Large, looming cornices may become weak with sun and warm temperatures.
It may be possible to find a pocket of triggerable wind slab in leeward features in the high alpine where snow remains dry.
During the first half of the week, large avalanches were reported in the region, including natural storm slabs and full depth glide slab avalanches up to size 3. Avalanche activity has largely tapered off since Wednesday.
A widespread melt-freeze crust extends up to at least 2200 m. In the high alpine, dry snow is wind affected and firm. Sun and warm temperatures on Saturday are likely to moisten dry snow and soften crusts, especially on steep south-facing slopes. Large, overhanging cornices linger.
The prominent mid-December facet/crust layer is buried over 1 m deep and extends up to 2200 m. Triggering the crust is considered unlikely, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.
Friday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Above freezing layer 2000 to 3000 m.
Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
