Be aware that a strong alpine temperature inversion has created warm conditions in alpine start zones. With uncertainty over the October 31 layer lingering: Ice climbers and skiers alike should carefully consider their exposure to overhead terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate the weather through Saturday with clear skies, light winds (although higher in east - west valleys), and a strong alpine temperature inversion. As the inversion established itself Thursday afternoon , temperatures reached 3C at 3000m while 2000m temps only reached -7C.
Snowpack Summary
Suncrusts are developing on steep south slopes with a temperature inversion. Surface hoar up to size 10 has formed. Below 2500m, 30 -50 cm of snow lies over the Nov 27th and Nov 23rd crusts. Both of these now overly the Halloween crust/ facet layer that sits 30-50cm above the ground. This lower layer is a facet layer above 2500m and a crust below.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were observed or reported at the time of writing although temperatures have spiked to over 3 degrees C at 3000m due to a strong temperature inversion.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain