Temperatures are expected to remain below zero in the Alpine (around -3.0), but may get a bit warmer when combined with solar warming. If the sun is out and it feels warm, watch for loose moist snow falling out of cliffs and steep terrain.
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
Overnight and Wednesday: An upper ridge of High pressure continues to dominate the interior regions. Large valleys should expect cloud with mostly clear skies above. Alpine temperatures are forecast to be warmer than the valleys, but should still be about -3.0. Light winds and no precipitation for the forecast period.Thursday: Mostly clear with light winds and freezing levels down to the valley bottoms. Cooler in the alpine as the warm air moves to the Southeast.Friday: Becoming cloudy during the day with moderate westerly winds as a weak upper disturbance slides into the region.
Avalanche Summary
Explosives control released cornices on North aspects in the alpine. Cornices that fell onto slopes below did not release slabs.
Snowpack Summary
There is a mix of new surface hoar layers and thin light snowfalls that have buried these layers. Some wind slabs have developed as the recent snow has been transported into the lee of terrain features at higher elevations. The mid layers of the snowpack have settled and are generally reported to be strong. Weak layers that were developed in November continue to show results in tests, but have not been reactive. Thin snowpack areas are the most likely place for deeper layers to be reactive to the additional load of a skier or rider.
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.