Uncertainty exists with the freezing level in the coming days. Expect to see rain to mountain top except in the highest reaches of the south coast region.
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY: Rain, accumulation 25mm / Light to moderate southeast wind / Alpine temperature 6 / Freezing level 2100m WEDNESDAY: Periods of snow or rain, accumulation 23cm / Light to moderate south wind / Alpine temperature 3 / Freezing level 1500mTHURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate southeast wind / Alpine temperature 3 / Freezing level 1300m
Avalanche Summary
No recent avalanches have been reported in the region. Expect thin loose wet avalanches in the alpine and tree line elevation bands in the coming days.
Snowpack Summary
Last weekend's storm delivered 20-30 cm of wet snow in alpine terrain and rain elsewhere. The wet snow has frozen and stabilized the snowpack in all but the highest terrain where isolated storm and or wind slabs may sit above a rain crust. High freezing level and continued precipitation over the coming days will start to break down the recent crust formation.
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.