Wet flurries on Wednesday added to a moist, spring snowpack. Fresh snow, and showers or rising temperatures during the day can quickly increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Isolated wet flurries, up to 15 cm accumulation / southwest wind, 20 gusting to 45 km/h / treeline temperature 0 C / freezing level 1000 mTHURSDAY: Showers and wet flurries, 10 cm snow at upper elevations / south wind, 15-30 km/h / treeline temperature +3 C / freezing level 1500 m FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / south wind, 10-25 km/h / treeline temperature +3 C / freezing level 1500 mSATURDAY: Snow and rain, 20-30 cm / south wind, 20-45 km/h / treeline temperature +3 C / freezing level 1400 m
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day, especially in areas with fresh snow.
Snowpack Summary
Around 15 cm snow and rain fell through Wednesday at upper elevations. Warm temperatures and wet precipitation are producing a moist, spring snowpack. Below 1200 m, the snowpack is rapidly disappearing. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.