Avalanche Forecast

Sunday night: Clear, moderate southeast ridgetop wind, alpine temperatures near 0 C, freezing level dropping to 1100 m.

Monday: Sunny, moderate southeast ridgetop wind, alpine high temperature +2 C, freezing level 2000 m. 

Tuesday: Sunny, light northwest wind, alpine high temperature +2 C, freezing level 2100 m. 

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, light northwest wind, alpine high temperature near 0 C, freezing level 1800 m.

As the spring diurnal cycle continues, there have been reports of numerous large (size 2) wet loose avalanches on south-facing slopes at all elevations and a few large (size 2-2.5) cornice failures on a variety of aspects. 

One wet slab was suspected to have released on the November crust layer on a shallow west aspect in the alpine, triggered by a loose wet avalanche from above. Triggers, such as cornice fall, loose wet avalanches, or a rider hitting a thin spot in the snowpack, are particularly concerning on steep, rocky slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack as they are the most likely ways to trigger deeply buried weak layers.

The snowpack has been undergoing a melt-freeze cycle with successive days of warm sunny weather. Strong solar radiation and warming will likely initiate wet loose avalanches as the snow loses cohesion. As the heat penetrates deeper into the snowpack, operators have reported larger wet slab avalanches. These avalanches are dense, destructive and can run far, reaching otherwise snow-free valley bottoms. Check out the Forecaster's Blog for information on how to manage these spring conditions. 

Cornices are large and looming along ridgelines. Sun and warm temperatures will increase the chances of cornice failures, especially when temperatures remain above zero overnight.

The snowpack is overall strong and settled in most areas, however, sustained warming can increase the likelihood of large avalanches failing on deeply buried weak layers. This is most likely to occur on steep, rocky alpine slopes with a shallow or thin to thick snowpack.

• Avalanche hazard is expected to to increase througout the day, think carefully about your egress.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
• Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.