Weather and avalanche forecasts are conducive for great mountain adventures, but be very wary of cornices failing when traveling on ridgetops.
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Recently, cornices have grown large. With the current and forecasted conditions, they are generally not expected to fail naturally. However, human-triggered cornices are possible, so give them a wide berth when travelling on ridges. Watch for signs that cornices may be weakening if they are exposed to extended periods of sun.
Not much change as the broad upper trough is still in place. Cool and unstable conditions, combined with daytime heating, will likely give scattered flurries across the southern part of the province. Warmer and closer to seasonal temperatures will arrive on Sunday and Monday.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear skies / light variable wind / treeline high around -8 C / freezing level at valley bottom.
SATURDAY: Mainly sunny with increasing cloudiness in the afternoon / light to moderate east wind / treeline high around -4 C / freezing level rising to 1300 m / Light snow accumulations (2-4 cm) overnight
SUNDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries / light to moderate southwest wind / treeline high around -2 C / freezing level rising to 1300 m.
MONDAY: Increasing cloudiness / light south wind / treeline around 0 C / freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Observations are limited this time of year. No new avalanches were observed in the last few days.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, please consider contributing to the Mountain Information Network by sharing snow / riding conditions.
10-20 cm of snow sits over a widespread melt-freeze crust which formed during the major warming event on April 8. Periods of strong wind from the northeast through southeast earlier this week have redistributed the snow in exposed high elevation terrain forming wind slabs that are now expected to have stabilized in most areas. Cornices have likely grown large recently, but are expected to be relatively stable with the current temperatures. A new sun crust may now be forming on steep sun-exposed slopes.
Multiple crusts exist in the upper snowpack, which are currently considered stable and well bonded with the ongoing cold conditions. The middle and lower snowpack are currently well settled and strong.
