Weekend Weather and Avalanche Discussion

..The persistent ridge in Canada has begun to move east and for the first time in months, northerly flow over the Valdez Chugach will cease..This will allow copious amounts of warm air, clouds and moisture to reach higher elevations.. Any sun-breaks will be short as an intense trough of moisture saturates the area on MON-TUES.. Forecast amounts for snow, where it snows for the next week range from 6-12 inches, with more above 4500′.. This should heal the snowpack surface and produce good skiing once the weather settles..

..Avalanche hazard will increase to CONSIDERABLE  today with rising temps and wet snow bringing wet sluffs, point releases and cornice issues. Rain on snow above 2500′ is the obvious red flag.. Any sun this weekend on south aspects will create the usual avoidable issues.. While the CNAIC reports lots of glide crack activity beyond historical levels near Turnigan Pass, we may be seeing the same thing, albeit slightly delayed.. Each day this week, new glide cracks have opened up from West Peak to Gold Creek at mid-mountain.. Glide cracks don’t seem to be an issue in Thompson Pass and current tropical weather patterns could change that..