Watch for an increasing avalanche danger with daytime warming and prolonged solar input. Plan to be back early afternoon to the trailhead.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud today with an alpine high of -5C. Winds are expected to be light with occasional gusts to 35kmh. Freezing level should reach 1600m today. Alpine temperatures are expected to rise above freezing over the next few days with potentially poor overnight freeze so look for increasing avalanche danger.
Snowpack Summary
30cm+ of storm snow over the last two days and moderate S through SW winds have formed storm slabs. at and above treeline. This surface snow insulates the old moist snow surface below. Dry snow still exists on shaded aspects at high elevations. Cornices and wind loading lurk above treeline. The April 7 crust is now down 50-70cm and still a concern.
Avalanche Summary
Only one new slide recorded in the highway corridor yesterday, a size 2 in MacDonald Gulley #3. Backcountry observations were limited due to poor visibility.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is 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.