Conditions will remain spring-like over the weekend.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - The weather pattern is stable
Weather Forecast
A ridge will build over the weekend signaling an end to the wetness although freezing levels are forecast to remain high (between 1500-2000m throughout the forecast period. Light rain will continue overnight Friday into early Saturday accompanied by moderate westerly winds. A clearing trend is expected for Sunday with light northwesterly winds. The region should be mainly dry and sunny by Monday with light northerly winds.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche have been reported recently although I expect thin wind slabs could be reactive in the high alpine and loose wet avalanche are probably still popping on steep alpine slopes that see brief periods of sun.
Snowpack Summary
It's definitely not your typical early February coastal snowpack. Upper elevations in the North of the region have received between 5 and 10 cm of new moist snow while rain fell below 2000m. Continued warm temperatures are encouraging the settlement of the upper snowpack. The supportive crust that formed up to 2100m earlier in February can now be found down about 70 to 100cm in the alpine. Wet slushy snow sitting above the crust is making for difficult riding conditions at and below treeline.
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches remain possible in steep open terrain and gullies.
Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.>Be very cautious with gully features.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wet Slabs
It is expected to remain warm on Saturday with isolated showers. Periods of either rain or direct sun could increase the likelihood of wet slab avalanches or cornice collapse, particularly in higher terrain
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rain.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 14th, 2015 2:00PM
