A warming snowpack can quickly lose strength and produce loose-wet avalanches. Be suspect of alpine slopes and cornices with the warm alpine temperatures.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods. Light south-southwest wind. Alpine temps +4 C, freezing level 2200mSUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light southwest wind with occasional moderate gusts. Alpine temps reaching +10 C, freezing level above 2500 m.MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light southeast wind. Alpine temps reaching +10 C, freezing level 3000 m.TUESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Light east wind. Alpine temps reaching +6 C, freezing level 2300 m.More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, loose wet avalanches released naturally below 1200 m. Skiers were able to trigger loose wet avalanches which ran on an ice layer down 15-20 cm.This region has had limited observations. Please submit any observations you have to the Mountain Information Network here.
Snowpack Summary
Rising freezing levels have moistened surface snow at all elevations. Dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the high alpine. Cornices have grown and are suspect to fail with warming.At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is settling. A melt freeze crusts exists below this with associated facets (sugar snow), however the recent snow appears to be settling well on this interface.
Problems
Loose Wet
A major input of heat into the snowpack can stress deeper instabilities and activate buried weak layers. Use caution as the snowpack responds to this punch of rapid warming and spiking freezing levels.
Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming. And can weaken quickly with warming.
Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 13th, 2019 2:00PM
