Once again we have a forecast telling us to expect a sharp rise in the freezing level. Watch for rising temperatures tomorrow and signs of local instability. Wet cliffs, pinwheeling or small loose wet avalanches are all indicators of rising temps.
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Another clear day for tomorrow. Our forecasts are saying there will be a drastic change in freezing level. We are expecting it to rise to 2600m tomorrow afternoon. The winds will be mostly calm with the odd gust to 30km/hr. This warm spell is expected to stick around for awhile yet. The models suggest it will persist until Sunday night. After that it will stay clear, but cool off significantly.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new.
Snowpack Summary
The calm, cold, clear nights have promoted the growth of a new surface hoar layer. With the long clear spell ahead of us, this will continue to grow. Surface facetting has also become more noticeable in the last few days as well. Other than that the snowpack has seen little change, except for some settlement. Snow depth at Burstall parking lot is 65cm, Burstall Pass is 80cm and Highwood Pass is 64cm.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.