Avoid being in or under avalanche terrain.
Intense spring sun and rising temperatures are making large natural avalanches likely.
We expect persistent weak layers to become more active as the temperature increases. Cornices are also weakening, and large falling cornice chunks could trigger an even bigger avalanche on a persistent weak layer.
Freezing levels are rising, and the spring sun packs a punch. Loose moist snow on the surface will get deeper through the day, increasing the chance of loose wet avalanches.
On Wednesday, west of Golden, a large, surprising human triggered persistent slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche was triggered on a ridge crest that had been previously ski cut. A few hours can make a big difference.
Persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported, and even bigger avalanches were frequent last week.
Looking forward, we are expecting persistent avalanche problems to become worse with rising temperatures and intense spring sun.
In the morning, dry snow may remain at high elevations with refrozen crusts at lower elevations. Through the day, surface snow will start to melt due to intense spring sun and freezing levels forecasted to be well above mountain tops. This loose, melted snow will get deeper into the snowpack as the day goes on.
A widespread crust is buried roughly 80-120 cm deep. Weak faceted crystals and surface hoar above this crust are contributing to large avalanches across the province and continue to be the primary layer of concern here.
Additionally, the lower snowpack is mostly made up of weak and faceted layers, which have the potential to produce very large avalanches with prolonged warming.
Any night-time cooling will be restricted to near valley bottom, the alpine will stay above 0 °C.
Thursday Night
Clear. No new snow expected. Light west ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling slightly to 1900 m. Treeline temperature around -1 °C.
Friday
Mostly sunny. No new snow expected. Light northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2800 m. Treeline high around 4 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. No new snow expected. Light northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 3200 m. Treeline high around 6 °C.
Sunday
Sunny. No new snow expected. Light south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 3500 m. Treeline high around 7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
