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. 

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy, 10 km/h west wind, alpine low temperature -6 C, freezing level falling below 1500 m.

SATURDAY: Convective flurries and a mix of sun and cloud, accumulation 2-10 cm with local enhancements possible, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature +3 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 +5 C, overnight freeze and daytime freezing level rising to 2400 m.

MONDAY: Cloudy with sunny breaks and isolated wet flurries, west wind gusting to 50 km/h, alpine high temperature +6 C.

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.

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

We're in classic spring-time conditions with crusts and moist snow at lower elevations and still winter-like conditions in the alpine. Remember that cornices are large and looming at this time of year.

• 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.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.