Colder temperatures will arrive later Wednesday, which will hopefully cool the upper snowpack and freeze-lock the surface mush/slop.
Be prepared for rugged valley-bottom travel, creeks opening up, and variable surface conditions.
Cornices will become more reactive as temperatures continue to rise with no overnight recovery. Give cornices a wide berth and avoid traveling on slopes below these large triggers.
Surface snow has the consistency of watery porridge right now. With no overnight freeze/ recovery until Wed evening, this will persist for another 24 hours.
Approximately 60-80cm of moist snow sits atop the March 21 crust. These wet slabs are/will be active with the warm temperatures, strong sun, and possible rain Tuesday night.
Natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches up to size 2.5 observed in the highway corridor on Monday/Tuesday.
Field team in Connaught creek observed a natural size 2 wet loose avalanche on Sunday AM.
Two reports of skier triggered size 2 slab avalanches on Friday. One from from Quartz creek, and a second on the Thorington.
We are currently experiencing all melt no freeze spring conditions.
~60-80cm of moist surface snow overlies the robust March 21 crust. Strength and structure is diminishing in this upper layer with continued heat, creating a wet slab on a firm bed surface - ideal conditions to see natural wet slabs become active and avalanche.
The mid - lower snowpack is well settled but we expect to see some large avalanches as the warm temperatures permeate the snowpack.
A cooling trend arrives Wed afternoon, warm until then.
Tonight Cloudy, showers, 10mm. Alp Low 3°C. Freezing level (FZL) 2300m. Ridgetop wind SW 10-25km/h.
Wed Cloudy with sunny periods. High 3 °C. Wind N 20-45km/h. FZL 2400m
Thurs Mix of sun/cloud. Alp High -6°C. Wind N 25-55km/h. FZL 1600m.
Fri Mix of sun/cloud. Alp High -6°C. Wind N 20-35km/h. FZL 1600m.
