The first major warm-up for the season is upon us!!!
As freezing levels spike over the weekend so will the avalanche hazard as we enter a period of All Melt, No Freeze.
Large avalanches may run into below treeline terrain.
Time to break out the bikes and avoid all avalanche terrain.
We expect numerous heat or solar-triggered cornice failures in the coming days. Cornice failures may trigger deeper layers resulting in very large avalanches running far as they entrain wet slushy snow.
The heat is on! Warm temperatures and lots of solar radiation will result in widespread loose wet avalanches on all aspects.
The deep persistent layers that were dormant with the recent cool temperatures are expected to "wake up" with the first major warm up and solar input. Avalanches may run to the valley bottoms.
Several loose wet avalanches on Thursday on West aspects up to size 2. We expect this activity will increase over the coming days, with larger avalanches involving the entire snowpack.
Expect a crust on all aspects except high due North aspects. Warm temperatures and lots of solar radiation forecasted for Thursday through Sunday will progressively weaken the snowpack resulting in widespread loose wet avalanches.
The mid-pack persistent layer and basal depth hoar layer are expected to become active with the warm temperatures, resulting in deeper and full-depth slab avalanches that may run into below treeline terrain.
A ridge of high pressure dominates the region for the next few days. Wednesday is the last night of a slight freeze as freezing levels dip to 1900 m. Freezing levels are expected to progressively climb through the weekend, reaching up to 3600 m with no overnight freeze. Valley bottom temperatures will be in the +18C range.
For more detailed weather click here.
