A spike in natural avalanche activity may occur due to strong solar effect.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
The weather pattern has taken a dramatic shift as the arctic ridge becomes the dominant weather feature through the weekend, bringing colder temperatures and mostly clear skies.Saturday: Clear skies and treeline temperatures near -2. Ridgetop winds light from the North. Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. Treeline temperatures near -2 and freezing levels 500 m. Ridgetop winds light from the northwest.Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Treeline temperatures near -1 and freezing levels 600 m. Ridgetop winds light from the northeast.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday.
Snowpack Summary
Rain over the past few days has saturated snow surfaces and only higher alpine elevations were lucky enough to get snow. With forecast cold temperatures, the upper snowpack will likely lock up as a firm crust. The average snowpack depth at treeline is 300 cm of well settled snow with no significant layers of concern.
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.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.