Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy. Alpine temperature low of -7C. Moderate northwest winds at ridgetops.FRIDAY: Isolated flurries. Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperature reaching -4C. Moderate northwest winds at ridgetops.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and clouds. Dry. Alpine temperature reaching -2C. Light westerly winds. Freezing level between 1600m and 1900m. SUNDAY: Mainly sunny with clouds. Alpine temperature around 0C. Light northwest winds. Freezing level between 2000m and 2500m. No overnight freeze expected.

Widespread loose-dry avalanches were triggered by skiers on steep north-facing slopes as well as numerous wind slabs on alpine features on various aspects. They all remained small (size 1 to 1.5) and were confined to the recent snow near the surface. Sun has already affected the snow on steep south-facing slopes and triggered small loose wet avalanches.

Last 7 days snowfalls (25-40 cm) now sit on various surfaces such as sun crusts on southerly slopes, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas. Recent winds have switched around from north to west to south affecting the fresh snow on a variety of aspects. Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 55 and 90 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.