Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Tonight and Friday: Most of the province is under a high pressure system. Expect moderate winds from the W,  freezing levels rising up to 3500 m with clear skies. Alpine temperatures could reach plus ~10 C during the day.Saturday: A weakening frontal system will reach the coast which is not suspected to affect the region. Light SW winds rising to moderate in the afternoon and freezing levels going from 3000 m to 1800 m by the end of the day. Clear sky gradually becoming cloudy. Sunday: Ridge of high pressure rebuilds over the coast leading to a clearing trend with mild temperatures.

No new avalanches reported. Older observations were reported dating from after the last storm one of which is a size 3 avalanche that is suspected to have run on a deep persistent weak layer. 

The main concern for tomorrow is the unusual warming and solar radiation shock that the snowpack will take. This will weaken the snowpack and cornices which will most likely increase natural avalanche activity on SE and S aspects, but also in shaded areas because of temperatures rising to plus 10 C in the alpine! As well as surface wet slabs and loose snow avalanches, there is the possibility of it stepping down to deeper persistent weak layers (PWL) .Indeed, the late November facet/crust combo and the basal facets could be triggered by a heavy load such as a cornice drop or an avalanche stepping down. Recent snowpack testing produced sudden planar results and good propagation potential on the facet/crust layer down 90 cm on a NE aspect. The basal facet weakness is also a concern and is mostly found in the alpine in shallow rocky areas. The facet/crust layer is found in the alpine and at treeline elevation band.