Warm temps and strong solar will make the avalanche problems more reactive.
Avoid South and West facing slopes if the heat from the sun feels strong.
The new snow overlays a buried persistent weak layer (PWL) that consists on suncrust, facets and/or surface hoar in some locations. Warm temps are promoting the settling of a cohesive, reactive slab on top of this layer. Expect this slab to become more reactive during times of intense solar.
High freezing levels and rain on snow have all contributed to a weak snowpack at lower elevations. No overnight freeze and direct sun will make this problem more reactive.
Natural activity peaked yesterday with many large slab and wet loose avalanches running far. Mountain top freezing levels and strong solar was the trigger.
40cm of heavy storm snow sits on a faceted upper snowpack. Widespread wind effect exists in the alpine from previous SW winds. Yesterday's warming/cooling event has created a widespread surface crust
A weak layer of surface hoar, facets and/or suncrust (Jan 30th) is 50-80cm down. Feb 16 is another PWL(facets/crust/surface hoar) down 30-40cms. Both these layers are reactive to human triggering.
Building cloudy weather as the ridge of high pressure breaks down.
Tonight Mix cloud & clear. Nil precip. Alp low 0°C. Light ridge winds. Freezing level(FZL) 900m
Sun Cloudy. Alp high 0°C. Ridge wind light. FZL 1800m.
Mon Mix sun/cloud with flurries. 6cm snow. Alp high -3°C. Light wind. FZL 1600m
Tues Mix of sun/cloud. Alp high -6. Light wind. FZL 1500m
