Avalanche Forecast

Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day of the week with some models showing +3c in the alpine. The weather models indicate some sun, some cloud and even some light flurries. Either way it goes, the solar radiation, even on an overcast day will be strong and can change the snow to moist very quickly on solar aspects. Winds are forecast to be 60-80km/hr from the SW with a freezing level of 2200m. We are trending into Spring, so expect variable weather with fast changing conditions. Cooler weather expected on Thursday and Friday.

No new avalanches were observed today.

Generally a well settled snowpack on polar aspects and buried crusts on steep solar aspects. We are entering the Spring period where the solar radiation plays a crucial role in determining the hazard for the day. Tuesday night will see only some overnight recovery or re-freeze as the temperature will not drop much below zero. This means that on Wednesday, it will not take long for the snow on solar aspects to become moist. Right now we have two crusts on steep solar aspects that are down about 40cm and 60cm. With daytime warming and solar radiation, expect to see reactivity on this layer (natural or skier triggered), especially on solar aspects. Wednesday would also be a good day to keep your distance form cornices.

• Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
• Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.