Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Light westerly winds. Freezing levels drop to 1000 m. Isolated flurries possible. 

THURSDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate westerly winds. Isolated flurries possible, delivering 5 cm to western terrain and a trace in the east. Freezing levels peak at 1600 m, alpine highs of +1.

FRIDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light southwest winds. Freezing levels around 1800 m. Alpine highs of +3. 

SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, light snowfall over the day. Freezing levels around 1800 m. Alpine highs of +3. 

On Tuesday, several large wet avalanches were naturally triggered by sun, warm temperatures and cornice falls. Activity occurred on all aspects, up to size 3.

On Monday, several natural wet avalanches were reported to size 2.5

Avalanche activity is expected to decrease as temperatures cool and freezing levels drop. 

Small pockets of wind loading may sit on north and east facing slopes in the alpine. A crust exists on all aspects as high as 2500 m, softening in the afternoon at all elevations with warm temperatures and sun creating moist surface snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels. 

At 30 to 75 cm below the snow surface, a sun crust can be found on solar aspects. This layer was buried in early March and produced several avalanches last week. The recent warm weather seems to have helped this layer bond. The lower snowpack is generally strong and well bonded.

• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
• As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
• Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.