Watch for ongoing loose wet avalanche activity on Saturday if temperatures don't drop overnight as forecast.
Confidence
Poor - Freezing levels are uncertain
Weather Forecast
Friday night: No snow. Moderate W winds. Alpine temperature near -9. Saturday: Light snow. Moderate to strong W winds. Alpine temperature near -6.Sunday: Light snow. Moderate to strong NW winds. Alpine temperature near -9.Monday: Light snow. Light SW winds. Alpine temperature near -10.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred over the last couple of days in response to heavy rain and/or snow and wind loading. Many were loose wet avalanches in the size 1-2.5 range, which entrained loose moist snow as they travelled. Some size 3 avalanches were reported to have failed at ground in the SE corner of the region. Several wind slabs and cornice-triggered storm/wind slabs were also observed.
Snowpack Summary
The recent warm storm dropped 10-30 cm of dense snow above about 2000 m and soaked the snowpack with rain below at lower elevations. At high elevations, snow has been transported by strong SW and W winds, creating wind slabs. Cornices have become fragile with continued warmth. The new snow has not been bonding well to the underlying surfaces, causing natural avalanche activity. Deeper in the snowpack, crusts exist, which can act as sliding surfaces for large avalanches.
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.