Uncertainty exists with the freezing level in the coming days. Expect to see rain to mountain top except in the highest reaches of the region.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Flurries or rain showers, accumulation 5-10cm / Moderate to strong south wind / Alpine temperature 0 / Freezing level 1200mFRIDAY: Snow and rain, accumulation 20-30cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1100mSATURDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5cm / Moderate to strong southwest wind / Alpine temperature -4 / Freezing level 1000m
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. In the highest alpine areas where the latest precipitation may have fallen as snow expect to see reactive storm and wind slabs.
Snowpack Summary
On Wednesday there was heavy rain up to approximately 1400m. The rain has fallen on already moist or wet snow sitting above a strong and well settled snowpack. In the highest elevation terrain expect storm and or wind slabs to be sitting above a a strong rain crust.
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.
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.