Avalanches are unlikely due to a strong surface crust. Avalanche danger could increase if the crust fails to refreeze overnight or weakens under warm temperatures and full sun.
Daytime warming and strong solar effect could weaken the surface crust throughout the day, increasing the likelihood of wet avalanche activity, both natural and human-triggered.
Earlier in the week, a widespread wet avalanche cycle occurred during periods of warming and heavy rain.
Moving forward, we expect minimal avalanche activity while a strong surface crust exists. However, conditions could change as the crust weakens during periods of daytime warming and solar effects, or later this week as warmer temperatures are expected.
A melt–freeze crust is likely present on the surface across most elevations, except at the lower elevations, below treeline. The thickness and strength of this crust are expected to vary significantly.
Beneath the crust, moist snow persists in the upper snowpack due to recent warm and wet conditions. At higher elevations, a lingering layer of surface hoar or a thin crust formed in early January is buried approximately 40 to 80 cm below the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is well settled, with resistance increasing with depth.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Friday
Sunny. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C, with a chance of slight temperature inversion. Freezing level 3000 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 3200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
