Friday’s storm will intensify as the day progresses, as will the formation of storm slabs throughout the forecast area. Avoid large starting areas in steep and complex terrain. Stick to simple terrain below tree line to reduce your exposure to danger.
With 25 cm of snow expected, larger storm slabs could form on west, north, and northeast-facing slopes due to strong and sustained southeasterly winds.
This hazard will develop on a variety of surfaces: in the south, on a sun crust that formed on Wednesday; and in the north, on 20 to 50 cm of snow resting on a fragile layer that proved reactive during our tests on Wednesday.
Several small, loose snow avalanches (size 1, natural) were observed on the northeast slopes. A size 1.5 avalanche (triggered by human activity, as tracks were present) was also observed, with a deposit 50 to 65 cm thick that had fallen 12 to 24 hours earlier.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
The expected fresh snow, which could reach up to 25 cm, will settle on a variety of surfaces. The heaviest accumulations are forecast for later in the day on Friday.
In the south, a new sun crust formed on Thursday on the surface of sunny slopes. Beneath this, approximately 15 cm of snow that fell on Wednesday also lies on top of a sun crust that formed on Tuesday.
In the north, between 20 and 50 cm of snow ranging from loose to dense lies on a widespread refreeze crust approximately 2 cm thick. A weak layer of faceted grains has developed on this crust on north-to-east-facing slopes and is reacting in tests at the tree line and in alpine terrain.
At mid-mountain elevations, the average snowpack depth is approximately 120 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A low-pressure system from Colorado is bringing a winter storm in April, with fresh snow expected on Friday.
Thursday evening and night: Cloudy. Wind from the northwest shifting to the southeast at 15 km/h. Low of -12 °C.
Friday: Snow. Accumulation up to 25 cm. Wind from the southeast at 20 to 50 km/h. High of -4 °C.
Saturday: Sunny. North wind at 20 km/h. High of -1 °C.
Sunday: Mixed precipitation. Snow up to 25 cm. Freezing rain. South wind at 50 to 80 km/h. High of 0 °C. Freezing level at 300 m by late afternoon.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
