Warm air and sunny skies will influence the snowpack on Saturday. Expect the most warming on south aspects and for the snowpack to possibly moisten on other aspects too. This may make the snow very touchy.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, freezing level rising to 3200 m.SATURDAY: Mostly clear skies, light to moderate northwest winds, treeline temperature 6 C, freezing level 3200 m with inversion conditions.SUNDAY: Mostly clear skies, moderate northwest winds, treeline temperature 4 C, freezing level 2400 m with inversion conditions.MONDAY: Clear skies, light north winds, treeline temperature 3 C, freezing level 1800 m.
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches were noted in the region. The likelihood of triggering avalanches will likely increase over the weekend as warm air temperatures and sunny skies dominate.
Snowpack Summary
A warming trend this weekend may moisten the snow surface at all elevations, with the most pronounced warming expected on southerly aspects. There is uncertainty in how much the warming will affect the snowpack. Use additional caution if you notice signs of snowpack warming.The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.