Local avalanche danger will likely be determined by the presence of a surface crust. A strong, supportive crust means avalanches will be unlikely. Where the crust breaks down with afternoon sun and warming, wet loose avalanches may still be possible on steep slopes.
Loose wet avalanches may still be possible on steep sun-exposed slopes where the surface crust breaks down during the heat of the afternoon.
A ridge of high pressure brings very warm and sunny conditions which are expected to persist until the end of Sunday. A temperature inversion is expected with cooler temperatures in the valleys.
Friday night: Clear, light N wind, freezing levels around 3000 m.
Saturday: Sunny, light N wind, freezing levels around 3200 m.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, moderate SW wind, freezing levels dropping to around 2500 m.
Monday: Light snow overnight and morning, sunny in the afternoon, moderate variable wind, freezing levels around 1000 m.
No new avalanches have been reported recently. Some natural loose wet activity may have occurred on Tuesday during the rain event. If you are out in the mountains, please let us know what you are seeing.
For the weekend, stability of the snowpack will be tied to the presence or absence of a surface crust. Wet loose avalanches will remain possible on steep, sun-exposed slopes where the surface crust breaks down during the heat of the afternoon.
10-30 mm of rain on Tuesday evening soaked the snow surface on all aspects and elevations. A widespread surface crust has now formed at all elevations. This crust may break down on sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the afternoon but will likely reform overnight with clear skies.
Below the surface crust, 10-60 cm of moist or wet snow and deteriorating crust layers sit above the thick late-January crust which extends to mountain top elevations on all aspects. The mid and lower snowpack is considered well settled and strong.
Shallow snow cover at low elevations leaves many hazards like stumps and creeks exposed at or just below the snow surface.
