South Rockies

We are getting back into a seasonal spring trend with cool nights, warm days, and highly variable snow conditions with elevation and aspect changes. Be on the lookout for signs that suggest unstable snow.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with no precipitation, 10 to 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C.

FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, 10 km/h northwest wind, alpine temperature 0 C, freezing level rising to 2200 m.

SATURDAY: Early-morning snowfall then mix of sun and cloud, accumulation 2 to 10 cm with local enhancements possible, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature 2 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2300 m.

SUNDAY: Mostly clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature 3 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2400 m.

We have not received reports of avalanche observations in the past few days.

Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network to supplement our data stream and help fellow recreationists.

Around 5 to 10 cm of snow rests on hard snow or a melt-freeze crust, with locally thicker amounts in lee terrain from strong southwest wind. Below treeline and on sun-exposed slopes, a moist and consolidated snowpack exists. Remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong, consisting of hard snow and various melt-freeze crusts.

• Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.