Avalanche Forecast

High -

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light southeast wind, alpine temperature 6 C, freezing level 3400 m.THURSDAY: Clear skies, light southeast wind, alpine temperature 5 C, freezing level 3200 m.FRIDAY: Clear skies, light south wind, alpine temperature 4 C, freezing level 2900 m.SATURDAY: Cloudy with rain and snow, accumulation 5 cm of snow above 2000 m or 5 mm of rain below 2000 m, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 2000 m.

Many wet loose avalanches were observed on Wednesday, from small to large (size 1 to 3). They occurred on southeast to southwest aspects and at all elevations. Wet slab avalanches were also observed, likely releasing on the weak layer described in the snowpack summary.This avalanche cycle is expected to continue, as temperatures remain exceptionally warm and the sun shines strong.

The warm air and sunny skies have produced moist snow to ridge top on all aspects. The upper 20 to 30 cm of snow may slide easily during the day, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as it sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The moist snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.A weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January may be found around 50 to 90 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow, which may be associated with a melt-freeze crust. The warm air and sunny skies could increase the likelihood of triggering very large avalanches on this layer.