Warming trend expected over the next few days. Be mindful of overhead hazards such as rockfall and cornice fall, which are large enough to trigger persistent weak layers deeper in the snowpack.
As freezing levels rise, shaded slopes above treeline may still offer excellent skiing conditions.
The March 20 crust is buried 20-60cm at tree line and below. The Jan 24 facets are 80 to 120cm deep. Dig down to investigate how these layers have adapted to the load. Slopes that have not released naturally should be treated with caution.
Mt. Nigel had two separate size 2.5 avalanches that released on the persistent weak layer on April 2nd. Both were on a southwest aspect and likely caused by warm temps and solar radiation.
Dry snow can still be found in shady aspects. 20-40 cm below, a firm rain crust from late March is supportive at low elevations but gradually disappears above tree line, around 2300 m. A deeper persistent weak layer from late January exists in the alpine down 80–120 cm. The lower snowpack is generally strong although weak basal facets can still be found in shallow areas.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High 0 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level: 2200 metres.
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High 2 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 70 km/h. Freezing level: 2500 metres.
TuesdayFlurries. Accumulation: 8 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High 2 °C. Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 85 km/h. Freezing level: 2300 metres.
