This will be the last daily Avalanche Bulletin and marks the end of the Winter Permit System. Updates will occur as conditions dictate.Enjoy the spring!
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels forecasted to be between 2500-3500m for the next week. Check the current weather data for up to date weather information.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack at tree line and below is moist and becoming isothermal with little to no overnight crust recovery. High North aspects may still hold dry snow for the time being. Check the current weather data to see if alpine temps have been below zero before heading out.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous avalanches to size 3.5 throughout the park were observed over the past week. Cornice failure, loose wet and wet slab avalanches will continue to be a concern as the freezing levels rise to above 3000m.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.
Wet Slabs
Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.
Cornices
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.