Avalanche Forecast

Snowpack:

There is lots going on with regards to stability at this time of year. Currently within our snowpack we are finding wind slabs in isolated alpine areas along ridgelines and cross loaded features but these wind slabs are not that reactive and stubborn to trigger. Having said that, skiers should still be aware of this problem and be on guard for it as you travel. Two other big concerns now are also related to the time of year, spring. Cornices are large and looming over many features and since the heat, we have seen a few of them collapse triggering small slabs on underlying slopes. In addition to the small slabs the cornice debris in and of it self if a big hazard coming down the slope. Now is not the time to be near these ball caps and be aware that even as you start your tour in the early morning, these features as the tops of peaks may already be in the sun. The other concern is loose wet avalanches. Loose wet avalanches begin commonly with the heat, first starting on solar aspects. Thin rocky areas that are steep and south facing are places where the snowpack will be most susceptible to this problem. A small loose wet avalanche may ultimately, step down to a deeper weak layer in isothermal snow triggering a large avalanche. So be heads up. The best way to mitigate these problems is to start early and plan to be on north aspects where there still a winter snowpack.

Avalanche Activity:

There is evidence of numerous wet avalanches in the backcountry. It is getting too difficult to date them all now. The key here is to expect them when it is hot and sunny. The deeper layers haven't woken up yet but as the snowpack down lower gets more isothermal we can expect to see some deeper avalanches. Of note there were three recent avalanches in miners gully near Canmore that occurred at 0900am crossing well skied terrain.

The avalanche danger is variable and can range from Low to High. Travelling early in the day is recommended, as conditions can change rapidly in short periods of time due to daytime warming. Pay careful attention to the integrity of the surface crusts formed overnight and rising air temperatures during the day. Dry slab avalanche danger may also exist during spring snow storms. Field Observations for your area may be available at the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) Mountain Conditions Report Website: http://www.mountainconditions.com. More Spring Conditions Details - http://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions

Expect Friday and Saturday to be hot and sunny. Freezing levels will rise to 2400m. There will be a mild overnight recovery on Thursday night but Friday night is expected to be warmer with very little overnight freezing. Start extra early and be back before lunch. Cooler weather is forecast for Sunday.