Stay alert to conditions that change with aspect, elevation and time of day. Watch for clues like a moist or wet snow surface that indicate its time to find colder snow or head for home.
Summary
Confidence
Fair
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY: Freezing level starting at 1000m, rising to 2000m. Light N/NE winds at all elevations. No significant precipitation expected. Clear skies initially, cloud cover building in the afternoon.THURSDAY: Freezing level starting near 1500m, rising to around 2200m. Light W/SW winds at all elevations. Clear skies. No significant precipitation expected.FRIDAY: Freezing level starting at 1500m rising to 2200m. Light SW winds at treeline, moderate SW winds at ridgetop. No significant precipitation.
Avalanche Summary
Several cornice falls have been reported in the last few days, some of which have triggered avalanches on slopes below.
Snowpack Summary
The recent 10 to 25cm of storm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above 2000m. These wind slabs are probably growing old and tired. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over a crust which is generally becoming more supportive. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which is now capped by a refrozen crust.Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to be slowly gaining strength. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, down about 80 cm, may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Weak layers which formed earlier in the winter are also a concern in certain spots. Look for a revised snowpack description tomorrow. (April 8th)
Problems
Cornices
Steadily increasing temperatures over the latter half of the week will make cornices more prone to failure.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so you need to travel early on exposed slopes.>When traveling in the alpine, be SURE you're on the ridge, and not on a cornice. >
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Anytime previously dry/cool snow experiences the intense kiss of the spring sun, loose wet avalanches are likely. Increasing temperatures may even drive loose wet activity on high elevation north and east facing features as the week goes on.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 8th, 2015 2:00PM
