Start (and finish) your day early and avoid exposure to sun-exposed avalanche terrain. Look for high elevation north facing objectives without cornices overhead, and plan your egress route carefully.
Check out the Forecaster's Blog for more on managing spring conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
Friday night - Clear / light northeast wind / alpine low temperature near 5 / freezing level 2900 m
Saturday - Sunny / light west wind / alpine high temperature near 7 / freezing level 3000 mÂ
Sunday - Sunny in the morning with increasing cloud throughout the day / moderate to strong northeast wind / alpine high temperature near 5 / freezing level 2900 m, falling to 2000 m in the afternoon
Monday - Mainly sunny / light northeast wind / alpine high temperature near 0 / freezing level 2100 m
Avalanche Summary
There have been several recent reports of wet loose avalanches up to size 2 on south aspects.
Looking forward, wet loose avalanches are expected on solar aspects with sunny weather and high freezing levels. Cornice failures will also become more likely. Wind slabs may still be possible to trigger in on north aspects in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface may be a crust in some areas, but recent high overnight freezing levels may mean that the snow surface did not freeze in some places. Sunshine and rising warm temperatures are expected to quickly soften any surface crusts during the day. Dry snow may still be found on high elevation north aspects.The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and strong.
Terrain and Travel
- The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes, especially if snow surface is moist or wet.
- Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Problems
Loose Wet
Surface snow will lose cohesion and become unstable with sun and warm temperatures.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are at their largest at this time of year, and become weaker with warm temperatures and solar radiation.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 17th, 2021 4:00PM
