The first major heat wave is here. Warm temps, strong sunshine, and high freezing levels will trigger a widespread avalanche cycle.
Temps will not drop overnight, increasing the likelihood of major, full-depth avalanches with each hot day.
Avoid all avalanche terrain.
A major heat wave with no overnight recovery will cause the snowpack to become isothermal. Expect a natural avalanche cycle on the prominent Feb 3 mid-pack crust on all aspects and all elevations that still hold snow. Avalanches may step-down to ground and shed the entire winter's snowpack.
The snow surface likely consists of a mix of hard melt-freeze crust and dry snow depending on aspect and elevation. Sun-exposed slopes may undergo daily melting and freezing whereas northerly alpine slopes could remain dry with potential slabs.
The Feb 3rd crust is the dominant mid-pack layer and make reawaken under periods of intense, prolonged warming or rain.
For more spring travel resources, check out the forecasters’ blog.
For information on mountain weather, please visit the Mountain Weather Forecast on the Avalanche Canada website.
