You may find new wind slabs up high, likely above around 2300 m. Also keep your eyes to the skies and avoid travelling on or beneath southerly slopes during intense sunny conditions.
New wind slabs may have formed above around 2300 m from recent snow and strong southwest wind. These slabs may be touchy, particularly in lee terrain features near ridges.
The likelihood of loose wet avalanche activity will increase during periods of intense sun, particularly where it moistens previously dry snow at higher elevations.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, light northwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1500 m.
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and clouds, light north wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1900 m.
SUNDAY: Clear skies, light north wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 2100 m.
MONDAY: Increasing clouds, light southwest wind, alpine temperature 1 C, freezing level 2500 m.
A natural loose wet avalanche cycle was observed on Thursday with the increasing freezing level.
The freezing level hovered around 2300 m to 2500 m during Friday's storm. Around 10 to 15 cm of snow likely accumulated above the freezing level. The snow fell with strong southwest wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features. The snowpack is wet below treeline from recent rain and warm air.
Weak and sugary faceted grains may remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine, producing a low likelihood but high consequence scenario. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow snowpack are the most likely places to trigger this layer.
