Warm air temperatures with strong afternoon sun may destabilize the upper snowpack on south-facing slopes. Use extra caution on sun exposed slopes during the afternoon.
Summary
Confidence
Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Weather Forecast
The ridge of high pressure continues to keep things dry and clear for the next 3 days. On Saturday, a mix of sun and cloud is expected with light-to-moderate NW winds in the alpine. Freezing levels are expected to be around 2000m. On Sunday and Monday, mainly sunny conditions are expected with light winds from the SW-NW and freezing levels around 2000m or higher.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported recently. Natural avalanches are generally not expected on Saturday except possibly sun-triggered sluffing on steep south-facing slopes. Human-triggered avalanches remain possible in isolated areas, specifically wind-loaded areas of the alpine or steep sun-exposed slopes.
Snowpack Summary
In sheltered areas, up to 10 cm of new snow from earlier in the week sits over a previously variable snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).
rbuhler,
Avalanche Canada
