Avalanche Forecast

Low - Due to the number of field observations

THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -1 / Freezing level 1700mFRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light to moderate northwest wind / Alpine temperature 0 / Freezing level 1900mSATURDAY: Cloudy with sunny periods / Light south wind / Alpine temperature 2 / Freezing level 2200mNOTE: Convective flurries, which are common this time of year, can result in widely varying snowfall amounts. These spring squalls routinely drop 20+ cm of snow in one valley while the adjacent drainage remains dry. For this reason, the distribution of avalanche problems associated with new snow vary greatly within a region.

Recent reports from Tuesday indicate natural loose wet activity to size 1.5 and 2.5 in the alpine and tree line elevation bands on all aspects except north. Additionally a few wet slab avalanches to size 2.5 have been observed at tree line on southerly aspects. Reports from Monday indicate a few loose wet avalanches running on solar aspects at tree line and a cornice fall triggering a deep persistent weakness on the slope below to size 2.5 from very steep north facing terrain in the alpine. Exposure to large overhanging cornices remains a significant concern.

Recent new snow tree line and above has been redistributed by west and south winds. Cornices remain large and continue to become more overhanging. The middle of the snowpack is generally well settled and continues to transition into a spring melt/freeze regime except for high elevation northerly aspects. Expect the entire thickness of the snowpack to be moist or wet at lower elevations. At upper elevations a deep persistent layer consisting of facets sitting on a crust that was buried back in November has been sporadically reactive to heavy loads i.e. a cornice fall or the weight of a smaller avalanche running. Cornices remain large and continue to become more overhanging.