Ice climbers should beware of temperature inversion conditions on steep solar exposed climbs that are producing large avalanches. Avoid these areas until temperatures cool on Monday.
Weather Forecast
Inversion conditions to continue on Sunday with freezing levels between 2100 and 3000m. The inversion weakens on Monday. Winds remain light, with cold temperatures overnight in valley bottoms. No precipitation until late next week.
Snowpack Summary
Previous frigid temperatures have weakened the snowpack. Whumphing noted on pockets of windslab in exposed areas around treeline. Alpine is scoured in wind exposed areas. Surface hoar formation and faceting is widespread. Warm temps in past 48hrs producing thin sun crust on solar aspects at treeline and above.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose dry avalanches up to size 2.5 noted on Saturday afternoon in steep solar facing gulleys between 2100 and 2700 m. Whumphing observed in open areas at treeline on windslab. No avalanche propagation observed but possible on steeper slopes.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday
Problems
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
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.