A very high freezing level is destabilizing the snowpack. Avoid being on or below cornices, avoid exposure to steep slopes when the snow is soggy, and be well aware of any overhead exposure.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Expect wet loose avalanches and cornice failures during periods of warm air and sunny skies. Avoiding steep slopes when the snow feels sloppy and avoiding cornice exposure are good travel habits. Avalanches could be very large and travel far, meaning you should limit exposure to overhead avalanche terrain.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface is moist to mountain tops and is unlikely to freeze overnight. The remainder of the snowpack is strong and well-bonded.
Cornices are large and looming at this time of year.
Weather Summary
A ridge of high pressure will bring mostly sunny skies and freezing levels between 3500 m and 4000 m until Saturday evening. A cooling trend with light rain or mountain-top snow is forecast for Sunday, with the freezing level around 1600 m to 2000 m. The freezing level will rise to 3000 m on Monday, with a mix of sun and cloud and isolated flurries.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
Problems
Cornices
Cornices are large at this time of year and will become more prone to fail as they warm up with spring weather. Stay well back from them when on ridgelines and limit your exposure when travelling on slopes below them, as their release is unpredictable. A flat spot on a ridgeline could actually be an overhanging cornice.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanche activity is expected with daytime warming and during periods of strong sun. This problem can quickly change over the day; stable conditions in the morning can turn very unstable during the heat of the day. Limit your exposure to steep terrain when the snow feels sloppy.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 29th, 2023 4:00PM
