Watch for surface layer instability and increasing avalanche danger as the day progresses.
Weather Forecast
West winds moderate gusting to strong will bring in another 5-10cm at higher elevations over the day. Alpine highs of -4C and freezing levels up to 1600m this afternoon. Sunny with cloudy periods and a warming trend to start the new week. Look for a change to more spring like snowpack conditions.
Snowpack Summary
Yesterday's moist afternoon snow surface is now being insulated by 10cm of storm snow at 1900m. There was likely little overnight recovery of surface crust overnight. Dry snow still exists on shaded aspects at high elevations. Cornices and wind loaded pockets lurk above treeline. The April 7th crust is now down 50-70cm and still a concern.
Avalanche Summary
New size 2 wet loose avalanche in MacDonald Gulley 3 this morning. Yesterday one new size 2 avalanche recorded in the west end of the highway corridor off of steep south facing terrain.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Wet
Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.