Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
All of the Winter Restricted Areas are closed today as the avalanche hazard and temperatures continue to rise.
Weather Forecast
A "Rex-Blocker" ridge of high pressure is anchored over Rogers Pass, bringing with it clear skies, light wind, and warm/inverted temperatures. Expect these conditions to amplify over the next few days, and continue until Sunday evening. Today the FL is forecast to reach 2800m, and drop down to 1600m tonight. Friday and Saturday will be the hottest.
Snowpack Summary
Spring melt-freeze conditions exist at lower elevations, and higher on solar aspects. Polar aspects are still holding dry snow in the alpine and at treeline. The April 7th layer is down ~20-40cm depending on aspect and elevation, and the March 18th crust is down ~60-1m. The mid and lower snowpack is very strong and dense.
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity will increase in the next few days as temperatures continue to rise, with no significant overnight refreeze. A skier accidental size 2 occurred in the Forever Young couloir on Monday, see the MIN report here. On Sunday a large cornice was accidentally triggered by a skier on the Young's Pk approach.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Inverted temperatures and strong solar radiation today will likely initiate a wet loose cycle in steep, south facing terrain. Starting and finishing your day early will set you up for success. Check out this link for more info on spring conditions.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Cornices
Cornices continue to fail this week both naturally and human triggered. This is a normal occurrence given the current weather and snowpack conditions. Avoid/minimize exposure to cornices near ridge tops, and skiing or boot packing around them.
- Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3