There is a lot of uncertainty as to how the snowpack is going to react to the sustained heat and sun. Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely as the surface crust breaks down, especially on steep sun exposed slopes.
The warming and sun are not expected to have a major impact on the rain soaked snowpack but surficial loose wet avalanches may become possible from steep, sun exposed slopes as the warming persists. The more the surface crust breaks down over the weekend, the more likely wet loose avalanches will become.
The region now sits under the warm ridge of high pressure bringing high freezing levels and sun, expected to persist into next week.
Saturday night: Clear, moderate W wind, freezing levels 3200 m.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 3000 m, dropping to around 2500 m by Sunday night.
Monday: Sunny, moderate NW wind, freezing levels around 3000 m.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud, light NW wind, freezing levels around 2800 m.
No new avalanche activity have been reported.
Observations remain limited. If you head out into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Warm temperatures are starting to melt a thick crust formed by previous heavy rain saturating the surface snow to mountain top. Below this crust, snow is moist down 30-50 cm and several old crusts are now breaking down. The middle and base of the snowpack are well settled and strong, consisting of well bonded snow and various hard melt-freeze crusts.
