Warm temperatures overnight may prevent a good re-freeze. Check for 'crust recovery' and be off slopes before they turn mushy or wet.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear with incoming cloud cover, Increasing 15-35 km/h west wind, alpine low temperature-2 C. Poor overnight re-freeze expected with freezing level hovering above 2200 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks, southwest wind gusting to 50 km/h, alpine high temperature +6 C.
TUESDAY: Wet flurries, 5-10 cm. West wind gusting to 30-50 km/h, alpine high temperature +2 C, freezing level rising slowly falling to 2000 m.
WEDNESDAY: Scattered flurries, 5-15 cm. West wind gusting to 60 km/h, alpine high temperature 0 C, daytime freezing level rising above 1900 m.
Avalanche Summary
We have not received reports of avalanche observations in the past few days.
Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack has transitioned to spring-time conditions, with overnight crusts transitioning to moist snow during the day, and isolated and lingering winter-ish conditions at the highest shaded elevations; in these areas use caution entering steep, lee terrain features below ridges, where wind slabs could be lingering. At ridge top, remember that cornices are large and looming.
Keep in mind that any snowpack can quickly loose strength when heat penetrates to deeper layers for the first time. Check for good overnight recovery - avoid slopes that do not get an overnight re-freeze.
Terrain and Travel
- Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Problems
Loose Wet
Warm air and the sun can pack a punch, causing loose wet avalanches that may entrain recent snow and travel far. Keep in mind that any snowpack can quickly loose strength when heat penetrates to deeper layers. Check for good overnight recovery - avoid slopes that do not get an overnight re-freeze.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are large and looming at this time of year. Any cornice release could be catastrophic.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 25th, 2022 4:00PM
