High freezing levels and poor overnight recovery are expected until Saturday night.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Freezing level will start to drop slightly to 3500 m Thursday-Friday and doesn't drop significantly until Saturday night based on our weather models. Weather stations showing above freezing temperatures at 2900m.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is enduring repeated freeze/thaw cycles with very high overnight freezing levels the past few nights. Avalanche danger predominantly relates to temperature, sun affect and surface crust integrity under these conditions (spring).
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed or reported today however it is likely that afternoon loose/wet avalanches are a daily occurrence.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
All avalanche terrain should be avoided later in the day when the crust on top of the snowpack breaks down due to daytime heating. There will be little overnight recovery until Saturday night.
Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. Travel early on frozen crusts before the heat of the day.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wet Slabs
Wet slabs will be a major concern with the forecasted high freezing levels and poor overnight recovery. If it is not a significantly frozen snowpack in the morning make other plans.
If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 21st, 2016 4:00PM
