Warm alpine temperatures may result in unexpected large avalanches, especially on south-facing terrain.
Lawinenprobleme
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible
Größe
1–5
Below ridge crests, behind terrain features and in cross-loaded gullies.
Cornices
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Likely
Größe
2–6
Cornices are expected to become unstable with anticipated warm alpine temperatures.
Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible
Größe
1–4
Facets down 40-60cm may take some time to gain strength. Watch steep slopes, convex rolls, and unsupported slopes.
Confidence
Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Saturday and Sunday: Dry or very light flurries, with alpine temperatures around -2C. Winds expected to be light southwesterly rising to moderate southeasterly. Monday: Clear with sunny spells. Temperatures below freezing at low elevations but alpine areas may see inversion conditions that will elevate temperatures to near zero.
Avalanche Summary
Small cornice releases that have so far not released slabs on slopes below were reported from Friday. A large nautral avalanche (size 3) was reported from the Hankin-Evelyn from last weekend on a NW aspect.
Snowpack Summary
I suspect pockets of wind slab behind ridges & ribs at alpine and treeline elevations. I also suspect storm slabs on steeper terrain, unsupported slopes, or convex rolls. Deeper in the snowpack is a layer of facets (sugary snow) which formed during the cold mid-January drought. The combination of newer, warmer, cohesive snow above a thin, weak, rotten snowpack is a bad combination.