Avalanche.geLoading…
A heavy snowfall is expected in the area today, with strong S winds up high, and a high freezing level (2000 m). Some forecast models predict totals up to 50 cm at higher elevations. The snow is falling on an already unstable snowpack, with a weak base. The additional weight is likely to cause natural avalanches. Today is a day to stick to the resort - the snowpack will need time to adjust to the new load. Wet snow and rain lower down the mountain brings the risk of loose snow slides.
Skier-triggered persistent slab near Kobi pass, N, 3000m. The avalanche broke near the ridge where there was a build-up of wind-blown snow, and failed on the weak base layer.
A skier triggered a couple of 'persistent slab' avalanches on the W face of Sadzele, at around 3000m - luckily they did not spread across the whole slope.
The snowpack is still shallow, under 100cm in many places. Early season snow has formed a sugary, weak base around 15 - 30cm thick. This layer is unpredictable since the early snow cover was inconsistent - but it's more likely to cause problems in the high alpine zone on W, N and E slopes.
Shooting cracks, whumpfing and rider-triggered avalanches have been reported over the last week - signs of an unstable snowpack - and the base layer is the culprit. On solar aspects a crust formed in the recent warm and sunny weather. The snowpack is now getting additional weight added and there is also the potential of wind transporting the snow higher up. Lower down, wet and melting snow will be unstable in steep areas.
Today's storm has the potential to bring quite a bit of snow, with a freezing level of around 2000m and strong S winds possible at high elevations. Saturday is looking clearer.
Possible strong winds from the south could create a windslab problem on N slopes at high elevations today. Visibility will be very limited all day.