Spring Conditions. Looks like a typical spring day with a mix of conditions. The sun can be very strong at this time of year; conditions may change rapidly if the sun comes out.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Mostly clear overnight with moderate southwest winds and freezing levels down to 1000 metres. Mix of sun and cloud on Friday with scattered convective flurries and daytime freezing levels at 2200 metres. A strong ridge develops on Saturday bringing clear skies, moderate southerly winds and freezing levels up to at least 2500 metres. The ridge gets stronger on Sunday, temperatures and freezing levels sky-rocket to at least 3000 metres.
Avalanche Summary
One small size 1.0 skier controlled wind slab was reported on Wednesday from a steep north aspect in the high alpine. Most commercial operations in the region have closed for the season, and data has become sparse.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Watch for new snow releasing as loose wet avalanches when the sun comes out. Thin new wind slabs may be easy to trigger when they are exposed to strong solar radiation. Watch for very warm temperatures developing this weekend.
Problems
Loose Wet
Loose wet avalanche activity is expected to increase with exposure to strong solar radiation and climbing freezing levels.
Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
If the sun comes out, it wont take long for solar aspects to heat up and result in natural cornice falls.
Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 15th, 2016 2:00PM
