Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee features below ridgetops at treeline and above. Expect natural wet loose avalanches to occur on solar aspects if the sun comes out.
Lingering wind slabs formed by recent snow and previously strong southwesterly winds may remain reactive on lee features at treeline and above.
Cornices are large and looming along many ridgelines and have likely grown with the recent wind.
Strong solar radiation and warming are common triggers for cornice failures which could trigger large avalanches.
Expect natural wet loose avalanches to occur on solar aspects if the sun comes out.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with convective flurries; 5-15 cm. / Light, southeast ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -10 / Freezing level valley bottom.
MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light, northeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -3 / Freezing level 1500 m.
TUESDAY: Sunny / Light, northeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -2 / Freezing level 1600 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Moderate, northeast ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature -1 / Freezing level 1700 m.
No new avalanches were reported in this region on Saturday. However, there was a near miss to the north in Kananaskis Country involving a skier triggered size 1.5 slab avalanche. See MIN HERE.
10-15 cm. of new snow brings recent snow totals to 30-40 cm. Recent snowfall amounts will vary widely throughout the region due to the convective nature of the spring weather. Lingering wind slabs formed by recent snow and previously strong southwesterly winds may remain reactive on lee features at treeline and above. The recent snow is sitting on hard crusts on solar aspects and a mix of wind affected or soft surfaces on shady aspects.
Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering large avalanches when they fail.
The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack that may become a concern when the next big warm-up arrives.
The snow line is slowly creeping up to higher elevations. Check out this MIN report for more details on the access from common staging areas.
Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.
