The upper snowpack has been saturated and weakened by rain. Avoid high-consequence avalanche terrain while above-freezing temperatures continue.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous wet slab, wet loose, and storm slab avalanches were naturally or explosive-triggered on Sunday, anywhere from size 1 to 3.
Snowpack Summary
Rainfall and warm temperatures have saturated and weakened the upper snowpack. At treeline and below the snowpack is largely isothermal.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy with 30 to 40 mm of rain or wet snow, south alpine winds 50 to 80 km/h, freezing levels around 2100 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with trace amounts of rain or wet snow, south alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, freezing levels around 2100 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 mm of rain or wet snow, southeast alpine winds 30 to 60 km/h, freezing levels around 2100 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 0 to 5 mm of rain or snow, southeast alpine winds 20 to 40 km/h, freezing levels around 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Conservative terrain selection is critical, choose only well supported, low consequence lines.
Problems
Loose Wet
Recent rainfall has weakened the upper snowpack. Expect loose wet avalanches in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wet Slabs
Rainfall has added a significant load to the upper snowpack. This is a particular concern where heavy, wet slabs sit atop a crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 30th, 2024 4:00PM
