Spring conditions. While the freezing level remains high, wet slabs will be the primary concern.
Summary
Weather Forecast
On Saturday, light snow is forecast above about 1600 m, with light to moderate SW winds. A cold front arriving on Sunday brings 10-20 cm snow, with the freezing level falling to around 1100 m by afternoon. Clouds and a few showers may linger on Monday morning, before skies start to clear.
Avalanche Summary
There are not many commercial operations still working in the field, so information 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
As temperatures gradually cool through the weekend, loose wet and wet slab avalanches will become less likely. Storm slabs may develop in the alpine as the cold front passes through. At lower elevations, monitor the overnight freeze of the snow surface. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating or rain will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas are likely to be isothermal.
Problems
Wet Slabs
Wet slabs remain possible until temperatures drop significantly.
Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Plan to be off big slopes before the temperatures rises and the snowpack deteriorates.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Rain can weaken snow surface layers and lead to loose wet avalanches in steep terrain.
Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Look for signs of surface instabilities such as pinwheeling and point releasing near cliffs.>
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2016 2:00PM
