Until cold temperatures lock in this hot mess of a snowpack, dangerous avalanche conditions with persist.
It's a good idea to avoid avalanche terrain and spend time at the ski resort.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred over the past few days as rain impacted the snowpack. Numerous size 1-3 wet loose, wet slab and persistent slab avalanches have been observed on all aspects and elevations.
Until the snowpack gets locked in by cold temperatures, human-triggered avalanches remain likely and large natural avalanches are possible. Avoid overhead exposure, large natural avalanches could entrain significant mass and run to valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Rain has created a moist or wet upper snowpack at all elevations. A weak surface crust may have formed overnight but will break down quickly throughout the day.
There is a layer of sugary facets that are buried 30-50 cm deep and in some places sits on a crust from December. This layer has been reactive in snowpack tests.
The lower snowpack contains a series of crusts and faceted snow. Expect snow depth at treeline to be 70 to 120 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with clear periods. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 3000 m.
Wednesday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 4 °C, freezing level 3000 m.
Thursday
Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine wind southwest 10 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine wind light and variable. Treeline temperature 0 °C, freezing level 2000 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Very large and destructive avalanches could reach valley bottom.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Problems
Wet Slabs
Wet slab avalanches could fail on or step down to buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack resulting in very large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanche activity can be expected from steep terrain. These avalanches could entrain significant mass and gouge to ground in shallow snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 31st, 2024 4:00PM
