As the weekend ends, rising temperatures and heavy precipitation will rapidly increase avalanche danger.
When the danger rating is High, avoid all avalanche terrain.
New snow and wind will form new and deeper wind slabs. Back off to mellower slopes if you see shooting cracks or recent avalanches, and be sure you know what conditions are at the top before climbing a steep slope.
Late Sunday the temperatures are forecast to rise and either rain or wet snow are expected in the mountains. A cycle of wet loose avalanches are expected on all aspects.
On Friday near bakers brook in Gros Morne park, a large (size 1.5 to 2) slab avalanche was observed and reported to be between 24 and 48 hours old. This avalanche was on an east aspect and was triggered from rapid wind loading.
Looking forward through the weekend, we think that human and naturally triggered avalanches will become more likely with each storm.
If you are getting out in the hills this weekend, consider sharing a couple photos and a few words on a MIN post.
New snowfall combined with moderate west and north winds, will begin to load east through to south aspect terrain. Expect to find new and reactive wind slabs forming over the weekend.
Beginning late Sunday a forecast storm will bring warm weather including snow and rain. Expect the snowpack to react drastically with the upper snowpack becoming unconsolidated and an avalanche cycle to begin.
60-80 cm deep, there is a thick and strong crust that formed in mid-March. In some places, this crust has a thin layer of weak sugary crystals on top. Generally this snow is well stuck to the crust, and it is not an avalanche problem.
Use caution in hot bog areas where weak new snow bridges may hide hollowed out creek holes.
A major shift in the weather begins late Sunday. Temperatures rapidly rise and heavy precipitation begins, the danger rating will rise quickly.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
