Spring Travel Advice
Avalanche Forecasting Operations Have Come to a Close Season
Have a safe spring in the mountains. Continue to remain vigilant and flexible while traveling in the mountains this spring.
OBSERVATIONS
Observations are still greatly appreciated. Spring-time observations are extremely helpful as forecast operations have come to a close. If you're out in the mountains, submit an observation to let the rest of the public know what's going on out there. Even a simple weather observation can be very useful.
Snow and Avalanche Information
- Dry Slab avalanche problems such as storm slab and wind slab avalanches are most likely during and immediately following a storm.
- Wet Loose avalanches are expected during warmups and (even brief) clear, sunny weather events, and rain events. Watch for pinwheels and rollerballs as an indicator the snow is becoming damp. If you're sinking into soft, mushy snow, it's time to turn around or find a different aspect.
- Wet Slab avalanches become likely during rain events and with multiple nights above freezing. Wet slabs occur when melt water pools and lubricates crusts or older persistent weak layers. Wet slab avalanches are notoriously difficult to predict.
- Cornices are large and often become unstable during prolonged warmups. Give yourself plenty of space above and below them. They tend to begin shedding during warming and/or rain events.
- Dry Loose Snow avalanches are expected during and immediately after a storm, particularly on shaded, north-facing slopes.
- Glide avalanches typically fail in similar spots year after year after an abundance of meltwater has saturated the ground or lower snowpack. Glide avalanches can occur in steep terrain, on smooth grassy slopes or on large slabs of rock. Look for glide cracks opening up during spring.
WEATHER
- Click HERE to view our Weather Station Map page with updated webcams
- Click HERE to view our Weather Tools page
- Spring weather patterns are often erratic and snow conditions can change quickly during spring weather. Be attentive to these changes and remain flexible with your travel plans.
- Rain on snow events can create dangerous avalanche conditions in a short period of time.
- Spring time means a higher sun angle, with direct solar radiation on the snowpack. Even a brief dose of sunshine can quickly alter the snow surface.
- Overcast skies and snow showers can open up to full sunshine in a matter of minutes. Convective snow showers can be spotty and difficult to forecast. Temperatures can vary depending on elevation and unexpected cloud cover can significantly alter a weather forecast.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Travel
- As people push into steeper, more consequential terrain, remember to maintain safe travel protocols and not let your guard down just because it's sunny and warm.
- During melt-freeze cycles, pay attention to "slide-for-life" circumstances, particularly during morning travel.
- Be mindful of terrain selection and timing. Identify terrain traps and be prepared to avoid/manage them.
- Spring Mindset
- Springtime is when mountain travelers push for bigger objectives. We have greater confidence in the stability of the snowpack and the high sun angle makes us feel ready to charge. As we start stepping out into bigger terrain in the mountains, be mindful of consequences (ask yourself, "If this slides, what will happen?"). Choose your terrain appropriately and manage new/surface snow problems accordingly. Be aware that dynamic weather can have quick impacts on the snow surface. A common theme I've noticed over the last 15 years playing in steep, snowy mountains is that experienced, seasoned people often get caught in small avalanches in big terrain during the spring. We have a tendency to underestimate "manageable" new snow problems like wind slab and loose snow. Pay attention to changing weather and know that small shifts in spring weather can have dramatic impacts on the upper snowpack.