Regions
Northwest Inland.
Danger ratings reflect conditions during the hottest part of the day. When it is cool, danger ratings will be lower.
Confidence
Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Expect warm and mainly dry weather for the next three days. The freezing level is forecast to spike up to around 2500 m on Saturday afternoon and stay there through Monday. Winds are light to moderate from the north.
Avalanche Summary
Naturally-triggered size 2 slabs were observed within recent storm snow in the north of the region. Cornices also failed on Friday. Avalanche danger is expected to be lower in the cool parts of the day, and rise during warm, sunny periods. As temperatures rise, also keep in mind the possibility of glide slabs releasing on smooth rock surfaces - avoid traveling on or under slopes sporting glide cracks.
Snowpack Summary
Cornices are weak and may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine. On steep, sunny slopes, it is likely that soft, moist snow will develop by day, and crusts may form at night. Below treeline, the snowpack is becoming more uniform as warmth penetrates through. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.