A refreeze below treeline can be deceptive, sun exposed slopes above may already be moist this morning
Summary
Weather Forecast
Temperatures are staying high on Saturday. No precipitation and clear skies. Freezing level 2900m. Light NW wind
Above freezing temperatures are forecast again Saturday night with a weak inversion
Sunday no precipitation, sun and cloud, freezing level 2000m, moderate NE wind
Monday No precipitation, sun with some cloud, freezing level 1700m, light E wind
Snowpack Summary
Temperatures above freezing for 3 nights at treeline and above. N aspects are still holding dry snow in the alpine and at treeline. The April 7th layer is down 20-40cm depending on aspect and elevation, and the March 18th crust is down 60cm-1m. The mid and lower snowpack is very strong with old crusts and facets decomposing at the base.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous large slab and loose wet avalanches Thursday and Friday afternoon to sz 3.5 from solar start zones have been running into all aspects. A skier accidental sz 2 in Forever Young on Monday, see the MIN report here. Cornices have been triggered accidentally on approach this week and they continue to fall naturally without warning.
Confidence
Problems
Wet Slabs
Inverted temperatures and strong solar radiation today will elevate the hazard in solar exposed terrain including shaded aspects exposed to solar aspects from above. Crusts may break down early. Check out this link for more info on spring conditions.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices continue to fail this week both naturally and human triggered. The sun is beating down on the top of cornices even over polar aspects. Avoid exposure to cornices
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Avoid travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 18th, 2021 8:00AM
