Another splash of rain overnight, followed by dropping freezing levels will make for crusty conditions and low avalanche danger on Friday.
We have very little data and a lot of uncertainty around alpine conditions in this region. We suspect any dry snow at the highest elevations has been blown into wind slabs. There may be a number of crusts within the recent storm snow, and on the surface after rain overnight Thursday followed by a sharp drop in freezing levels.
Thursday night: Rain, 15-20mm, strong southwest wind, freezing levels dropping from 2500 to 1300 m.
Friday: Cloudy, moderate ridgetop wind, freezing level 1300 m.
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate westerly ridgetop wind, freezing level spiking to 2500 m.
Sunday: Snow, 10-20 cm, moderate to strong northwest ridgetop wind, freezing level dropping to 700 m.
No new avalanches reported on Thursday, but glide cracks were observed to be opening up. On Tuesday, numerous wet loose avalanches and small glide avalanches were reported.
10-20 mm of overnight rain falls on previously rain soaked surfaces at most elevations, and possibly dry snow in the high alpine. As freezing levels drop Friday, a crust will (re)form at elevations above 1300 m.
The mid-pack consists of several buried crusts, and is well-consolidated.
