While freezing levels remain elevated so does the avalanche hazard. Warm temperatures are weakening cornices and deteriorating snow surfaces, especially in areas that are exposed to full sun. Avalanche hazard should improve in areas where temperatures are below zero.
Northerly winds are redistributing snow into fresh wind slabs in alpine lees. Winds have varied in direction in the last few days so watch for wind-affect on all aspects. Use caution as you transition into wind-affected terrain, especially around ridge crest and wind-loaded features.
A weak layer from late December is found down 50 -100 cm. Particularly in the central and northern parts of the region, this layer is made of preserved surface hoar crystals that sit on a crust. In the southern part of the region, it is a soft weak layer of decomposed crystals.
Cornice failures could trigger these weak layers resulting in large, destructive avalanches.
Elevated freezing levels persist through the night and into Thursday weakening cornices and keeping surface temps warm. Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches in surface layers. Stay back from cornices and minimize exposure time below them.
Freezing levels are anticipated to drop through the day Thursday. As the air temperature falls below zero snow surfaces will quickly harden and wet loose avalanches will subside.
No new avalanches have been reported in the region.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
10-20 cm of storm snow sits over wind-affected surfaces at higher elevations and a crust below 1800 m.
A weak layer, formed in late December, can be found 50-100 cm deep. In the Hurley and Birkenhead areas it may present as surface hoar sitting on a crust and can be found between 1700 and 1900m in elevation. The crust varies in thickness with terrain and elevation; in many places it's more of a soft and weak section of the snowpack.
There is a widespread weak layer of facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack. Generally, the snowpack is weak in this region. Snowpack depths around treeline are highly variable and range between 150 - 230 cm.
Wednesday Night
Clear with cloudy periods. Light northwesterly winds occasionally gusting to 25 km/h. 1500m temperature high of 0C. The above freezing layer is present from 1500 - 2500 m tonight.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Light northwesterly winds occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. 1500m temperature high of +1C. The above freezing layer between 1500-2500m dissipates in the afternoon and freezing levels fall to 800 m overnight.
Overnight, cloudy with scattered flurries, 2-5 cm accumulation.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Light northwesterly winds occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. 1500m temperature high -4C. Freezing level of 1000 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Light northeasterly winds occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. 1500m temperature high of -8C. Freezing level drop to valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
