Avoid being in or under avalanche terrain.
Intense spring sun and rising temperatures are making large natural avalanches likely.
High temperatures and intense spring sun have the potential to wake up this weak layer. Avoid very thin and rocky slopes where weak layers are more likely to be preserved.
Freezing levels are rising, and the spring sun packs a punch. Loose moist snow on the surface will get deeper through the day, increasing the chance of loose wet avalanches.
No recent avalanches have been reported.
Looking forward, we expect that natural avalanches will be likely, and human triggered avalanches will be very likely.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo or two.
In the morning, dry snow may remain at high elevations, with refrozen crusts at lower elevations. Through the day, surface snow will start to melt due to intense spring sun and freezing levels forecasted to be well above mountain tops. This loose, melted snow will get deeper into the snowpack as the day goes on.
A widespread crust is buried 40-90 cm deep. In some areas, a weak layer of facets can be found above. Recent tests suggested this layer was gaining strength, and no recent avalanche activity had been reported. However, we expect the warm weather to destabilise the snowpack, and this layer could become active again.
The snowpack below this crust is strong and well bonded.
Any night-time cooling will be restricted to near valley bottom, the alpine will stay well above 0 °C.
Thursday Night
Clear. No new snow expected. Light to moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels rise to 2700 m. Treeline high around 3 °C.
Friday
Sunny. No new snow expected. Light north ridgetop wind. Freezing level rises to 3200 m. Treeline high around 6 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. No new snow expected. Freezing level 3300 m. Light northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 8 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. No new snow expected. Freezing level 3300 m. Light southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
