Until cold temperatures lock in this warm and wet snowpack, dangerous avalanche conditions and poor riding quality will exist.
Human triggered avalanches are possible.
Several layers of concern exist in the top 150 cm of the snowpack. Elevated freezing levels have made these layers more reactive.
Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are likely when the upper snowpack is saturated from rain and prolonged elevated freezing levels.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred over the past three days. Numerous large (size 2-3.5) wet slab, persistent slab, and wet loose avalanches have been reported from all aspects and elevations.
Until colder temperatures arrive and stabilize the snowpack, rider-triggered avalanches remain likely. Avoid overhead exposure, very large natural avalanches are possible and have the potential to run to valley bottom.
A thin, breakable crust exists above 2300 m with moist snow under the crust. Wet, saturated snow 2200 m and below.
The stress of the new load (warm, wet upper snowpack) has been actively producing large slab avalanches failing down to the early/mid January persistent weak crust/facet layer (30-70 cm down) and the early December rain crust/ facet layer (100+ cm down).
Wednesday Night
Cloudy, a trace of new snow in the alpine, treeline temperatures near 3°C, south alpine wind 20 gusting to 45 km/h, freezing level around 2200 m.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, light rain/ snow amounts, southwest alpine wind 20 to 35 km/h, freezing level around 2200 m.
Friday
Cloudy with snow 10-15 cm, treeline temperatures near -2°C, southerly alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, freezing levels near 1800 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud, a trace of new snow, treeline temperatures near -4°C, southwest alpine wind 10 to 25 km/h, freezing level valley 1000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
