Forecast precipitation amounts are variable between weather models. Should you find more than 30 cm of accumulated snow, treat the danger as HIGH. Also watch the sky: expect loose wet avalanches under sunny conditions.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall above 1300 m and rain below, accumulation 10 to 20 cm of snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C.SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate west wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1500 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light south wind, treeline temperature 0 C, freezing level 1500 m.TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall above 1400 m and rain below, accumulation 15 cm of snow, light to moderate southwest wind, treeline temperature -1 C.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. The likelihood of triggering avalanches is increased above the snow-rain line due to stormy conditions this weekend and the potential for loose wet avalanches if the sun shines.
Snowpack Summary
Precipitation amounts have totaled 80 to 100 mm in the past three days. This has likely all fallen as snow above around 1700 m and all as rain below 1200 m. Between 1200 m and 1700 m, expect a rapid change from 0 cm to 80 cm of recent snowfall. The snow has likely been blown around by strong south wind. Below 1200 m, the snowpack is rapidly melting.
Problems
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.
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.