Daytime freezing level and solar input increasing - set the alarm for an early launch and plan to limit exposure in the afternoon.
Click the "More Spring Conditions details" link below for more info on the varying spring condition scenarios.
These features are large, dense and heavy and will possibly trigger the deeper instability on the slope below. If you must travel near or below cornices, use good travel techniques and group management to reduce exposure.
Shallow snowpack areas in the alpine and some treeline locations have the potential for human triggered and natural avalanches stepping to deeper layers if you get it wrong. This will most likely be a problem shallow northerly alpine terrain.
Start early to avoid this problem. Likely to see an increase in activity late afternoon with reduced cloud cover and rising freezing level.
Monday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -9 C, High -1 C. Ridge wind west: 15-35 km/h. Freezing level: 2200 metres.
Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -5 C, High -3 C. Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h. Freezing level: 2000 metres.
Supportive melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations; northerly aspects above treeline may still hold dry snow. The mid-pack is thick and supportive. Weak faceted crystals linger at the bottom of the snowpack and remain a concern particularly in shallow areas and northerly alpine aspects.
Patrol on Sunday - no new avalanche activity noted. Daytime freezing level rising this week with an increase in solar input - expect an increase in avalanche activity late afternoons in the coming days.
