Regions
South Coast Inland.
Continued warm temperatures will make the snow surface moist and primed for loose wet avalanches on steep terrain.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Monday
Weather Forecast
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with warm air remaining at higher elevations and cold air remaining in the valleys. Freezing level 2800m. Light southeasterly winds.Tuesday: 5-10 cm new snow. Freezing level around 1400 m. Moderate southerly winds.Wednesday: 5-10 cm new snow. Freezing level around 1000m. Strong southerly winds.
Avalanche Summary
Loose snow avalanches are likely on steep terrain at all elevations, but may entrain more mass on southerly aspects if the sun comes out.
Snowpack Summary
Recent warm weather has made the surface moist, especially at upper elevations. Below the moist surface, about 30-50 cm snow overlies a thick crust that was buried on January 6. This crust exists up to about 2000m. Mid and lower snowpack layers are considered well settled and generally strong.
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.