Unusual dramatic warming in the region has weakened the new and unsupported cornices. Expect this to be a temporary situation but, best to give a wide berth to avoid exposure.
Weather Forecast
Road side temperatures reaching +16 (Tuesday) and Alpine temps have remained above 0 for the last 24hrs (since 17:00, Monday Nov. 7th). Anticipating a slow cooling as the week progresses with forecasted precip of 4 to 6mm for Wednesday. Expect this to be rain at lower elevations and snow in the Alpine, maybe... we can only hope!
Snowpack Summary
Wide variations in the snowpack through the forecast area. Snow depths vary based on elevation and aspect. Warm temps have pushed the snow line to above 2100ms. Moist surface snow. Steep solar aspects have little snow left and expecting a temp crust on all elevations and aspects. High freezing levels observed on Nov. 8th (above 3500m's).
Avalanche Summary
Numerous point releases, loose wet, and cornice triggered loose dry (N and E aspects) observed today (Tuesday Nov. 8) through-out the forecast area.
Problems
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.