Up to 35 cm of new snow has fallen at the Icefields and another 10 cm may fall tonight. We are likely to see a natural avalanche cycle in the alpine tomorrow.
It's a good time to avoid all overhead hazard and stick to mellow, supported terrain.
Up to 35 cm of new snow has fallen at the icefields and has been creating dry loose avalanches up to size 2. These have the potential to trigger deeper layers in the snowpack. Solar input will make these slides more likely.
Most avalanches from the new snow have been dry loose avalanches. Solar radiation, new snowfall and wind may make this new snowfall become a storm slab and propagate if triggered.
Field teams continue to observe deep persistent slab avalanches this week. Avalanches in the upper snowpack may have the potential to step down to these deeper weak layers, leading to larger, more destructive slides. Consider this layer when evaluating overhead hazard and terrain choices.
Most days this week there have been size 3 avalanches failing on the deep persistent layer. On April 2 field teams observed numerous dry loose avalanches in the new snow. In some places these loose dry avalanches stepped down to deeper layers causing slab avalanches up to size 2.5
There is 10-35 cm of new snow at Parkers Ridge. 50 cm of new snow has been reported on top of the Columbia Icefields. This new snow sits on a crust on all but due north aspects. Surface hoar sits on top of this crust in many areas. A 50-100 cm mid-pack rests on top of weak facets. The lower snowpack consists of depth hoar and breaking down crusts. Tree line snow depth is 110-170 cm.
Wednesday Overnight.
10cm new snow expected.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10-25 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom
FridaySunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -3 °C.
Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.
Freezing level: 2000 metres.
