Spring Conditions. Cloudy and cooler conditions will reduce the size and likelihood of loose wet and wet slab avalanches. New surface crusts are expected to develop over the next few days.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cloud continuing to develop overnight with moderate southerly winds, light precipitation, and freezing levels dropping to 1800 metres. Mostly cloudy with light precipitation on Friday combined with light southeast winds and freezing levels around 2300 metres. Moderate southerly winds on Saturday with 5-15 cm of new snow above 1500 metres. Cooling on Sunday with northerly winds and freezing levels dropping to 1000 metres.
Avalanche Summary
There are not may commercial operations still working in the field, so data is sparse at this time of year. If you have observations from your travels, please consider sharing through the MIN (Mountain Information Network).
Snowpack Summary
Temperatures are slowly cooling and freezing levels are expected to drop below 2000 metres overnight. New surface crusts should develop as the temperatures cool. There is a lot of heat in the snowpack after the recent very warm weather, and it may take more time than expected for mid-elevations to re-freeze. Forecast new snow amounts are light, and new wind slabs are not expected to develop. When the new surface crust develops I expect that avalanche activity will be unlikely until the next warm wave of spring/summer arrives,
Problems
Wet Slabs
Forecast cooling trend with cloudy conditions is expected to reduce the likelihood of wet slab avalanches. Watch new crust development and monitor crust strength throughout the day.
Plan to be off big slopes before the temperatures rises and the snowpack deteriorates.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanches are expected to decrease in size and likelihood due to the forecast cloudy and cooler conditions.
Look for signs of surface instabilities such as pinwheeling and point releasing near cliffs.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2016 2:00PM
