Lingering storm slabs remain the primary concern. This could be most reactive where it overlies a weak layer of surface hoar.
A widespread breakable surface crust is making travel "unpleasant" below 1900m
More snow and strong SW'ly winds have continued to build a storm slab. In the alpine expect this to be most reactive in ridgetop lee features. Around treeline this layer is more likely to fail on buried surface hoar down 30 cms.
This past weekend a skier triggered a size 2.0 avalanche at Balu Pass and they went for a rocky ride. The avalanche was triggered from a thin area, and fractured ~30m above the rider. The rider was caught and partially buried.
This time of year areas with smooth ground cover are more likely to produce avalanches.
Below treeline the snow surface is either wet from recent rain or a breakable crust where it has re-frozen. Above 1900m the snow is heavy but dry.
Moderate to strong winds have redistributed recent snow in the Alpine. A surface hoar layer is buried down ~30cm in open areas treeline and above. There is approximately 120cms of snow in the Alpine, 80cms at treeline, and 20cm at the highway elevation.
Glaciers have poor coverage with just enough snow to hide small crevasses.
A warm, wet weather system will bring high freezing levels and heavy snow/rain Thursday.
Tonight: Clear, no precipitation. Alpine low -5°C. Freezing level (FZL) 1400m. Ridge winds SW 30-45km/hr.
Wed: Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. FZL 1600m. Winds W 20km/h.
Thur: Heavy Snow, 20-40cms. FZL 2400m. Winds: SW 20 gusting 65km/hr
Fri: Periods of snow, 15-20cms. FZL 2200m. Winds: light, gusting strong
