Avalanche Forecast

The warm ridge of high pressure persists through the weekend. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be sunny with light alpine winds and afternoon freezing levels around 3000m. Unsettled conditions are expected for Monday with a mix of sun and cloud, and the possibility of light scattered flurries. Moderate southwest winds are expected in the alpine and freezing levels are expected to drop to around 2200m.

On Thursday, a natural cornice fall triggered a size 2 slab on the slope below. A few natural size 2 storm slab avalanches were also reported on high northern aspects. Glide avalanches were reported on steep north facing convexities at treeline. On Wednesday, natural loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported. Skiers and explosives were triggering wind slabs up to size 1.5 in leeward features and on steep rolls. Small natural cornice falls were reported in the afternoon. With warm and sunny conditions continuing, spring avalanche problems are expected to be the primary concerns. Loose wet avalanches and large cornice falls are expected throughout the forecast period. Wet slabs may be possible on steep south facing slopes while the temperatures remain high and overnight recovery is poor. Lingering wind slabs may also still be a problem on high elevation north aspects.

Little to no overnight recovery was reported on Friday morning leaving a moist or wet snow surface on all aspects and elevations. The early-April crust layer is typically down 10-20cm and is reported to be breaking down due to the warm conditions. Prior to the warming, the recent storm snow had been shifted by strong southerly winds into wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. These wind slabs may still be lingering in high north facing terrain. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with warming and solar radiation.