Keep an eye on the snow surface, as it gets moist with warming and solar input the size and likelihood of avalanches will increase.
Wind slabs will likely be found on exposed terrain at treeline and alpine. Previous strong wind means that wind slabs may be found further down slope than expected. Wind slabs may be sensitive to rider traffic due to the underlying crust.
The likelihood of natural cornice falls could increase with solar input. Avoid traveling on slopes with cornices looming above.
Wet slab and wet loose avalanches will likely increase in size and sensitivity to triggering as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out. The underlying crust will make a good sliding surface and may result in greater propagation.
Wednesday night: No new snow expected. Low of -4 at 1600 m. Light to moderate west winds.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with no new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.
Friday: Stormy with up to 5 cm of snow in the alpine and rain below. Strong southwest winds and freezing levels around 2100 m.
Saturday:Stormy with up to 5 cm of new snow expected. Moderate southwest winds and freezing levels around 1500 m.
Over the past few days ski cutting and explosive control produced storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 in the alpine and treeline. Several size 1.5 natural storm slab and dry loose avalanches were also observed.
We suspect that wet slab and wet loose avalanches could occur on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out. Natural cornice falls will likely also increase.
Up to 25 cm of previous snow has formed slabs at treeline and above. Below this a crust exists on all aspects to mountain top . Moist snow will be observed on all aspects and elevations except high north terrain as the freezing level rises and the sun comes out.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.
