Avalanche Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, 15 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny with a few clouds, 20 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1300 m.

SUNDAY: Clear skies, 15 km/h north wind, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1600 m.

MONDAY: Increasing clouds with afternoon flurries, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 30 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C, freezing level 1500 m.

The recent cool air temperature has quieted avalanche activity. No new avalanche observations were made in the past few days.

Looking forward, spring-like diurnal conditions are forecast to dominate this weekend. The recent snow may soften on sun-exposed slopes, potentially forming small loose wet avalanches. Large, looming cornices should always be avoided.

A big THANK YOU to all of you that provided us and fellow recreationists with observations this season.

Anywhere from trace to 10 cm of recent snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust to the mountain tops. The snow surface may moisten during the heat of the day, particularly on sun-exposed slopes and on all aspects below the freezing level. Cornices may weaken with daytime warming.

A weak basal snowpack is found in many parts of the region, including along the eastern slopes of the Rockies like Core Lodge, Wolverine, Bullmoose, Upper Burnt and perhaps around Mt. Robson. In general, steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack are most suspect and should be avoided.

• Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.