Expect loose wet avalanche activity on sun-exposed slopes, especially in the afternoon. The best and safest riding may be found on high North facing terrain that is free of cornice hazard.
Check out the Forecasters' Blog on managing and understanding spring conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: Sunny. Ridgetop wind light from the South and alpine temperatures near +5. Freezing levels 2300 m by the afternoon and dipping down to 1300 m overnight.
Wednesday: Sunny. Ridgetop winds light from the northwest and alpine temperatures near +7. Freezing levels 2500 m.
Thursday: Wet flurries (5-15 mm) at upper elevations, rain lower. Freezing levels 2400 m.
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, reports of natural loose wet avalanches size 2-3 on solar aspects continued. Explosive work produced size 2-3.5 wet slab avalanches, failing on crusts in the upper snowpack and gouging to the ground as they ran to near valley bottom.
With all of this heat, sunshine, and little overnight crust recovery, I suspect this type of avalanche activity will continue through the forecast period. It's crucial to start early and end your day early as well as avoid solar slopes.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface consists of a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and shaded aspects into the lower alpine, which transitions into moist/wet snow during the day. Dry snow might still be found on northerly aspects in the high alpine above 2200 m. There are no layers of concern in the snowpack, which has been melting and settling over the past week. Large cornices loom along many ridgelines.
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Terrain and Travel
- Avalanche hazard is expected to to increase througout the day, think carefully about your egress.
- Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid lingering or regrouping in runout zones.
Problems
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanche activity can also be expected on sun-exposed slopes and below treeline. These avalanches can gather mass as they travel and reach low elevations.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are at their largest at this time of year, and become weaker with warm temperatures and solar radiation.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 20th, 2021 4:00PM
