South Rockies

 Sunny skies and rising freezing levels will increase the likelihood of both wet loose avalanches and cornice failures throughout the day on Saturday. Avoid large alpine slopes facing the sun and slopes exposed to large cornices during the heat of the day. 

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear skies / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine low temperature -3 / Freezing level 2300 m.

SATURDAY: Sunny / Light, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 7 / Freezing level 2400 m.

SUNDAY: Snow/rain; 5-10 mm. / Strong, southwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 4 / Freezing level 2000 m.

MONDAY: Sunny / Light, northwest ridgetop wind / alpine high temperature 6 / Freezing level 2300 m.

On Thursday, naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on steep solar aspects in the alpine.

The 20-40 cm of recent storm snow appears to be bonding well to previous melt freeze crusts from mid March that were found on all but steep north facing alpine slopes. A crust that caps the snow surface on all but high north aspects has limited the snow available for transport (ie. wind slab formation) despite recent Strong southwesterly winds. Cornices are large and capable of triggering avalanches when they fail that a single rider on a slope would not trigger.

The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. 

With rising freezing levels and sunny skies, the likelihood of wet loose avalanches and cornice failures will increase throughout the day as the snow becomes moist on all aspects at lower elevations and solar aspects at upper elevations.

• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.