Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Ridge wind light, south. Alpine temperature near -4. Freezing level 1000 m.THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, increasing cloud in the afternoon. Ridge wind light, southwest. Alpine temperature near -3. Freezing level 1700 m.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries beginning in the evening. Accumulation 5-10 cm. Ridge wind light to moderate, southwest. Alpine temperature near -4. Freezing level 1600 m. SATURADY: Decreasing cloud, flurries ending. Accumulation 2-5 cm. Ridge wind light, west. Alpine temperature near -5. Freezing level 1500 m.

On Monday, small slabs and loose wet avalanches were triggered by skiers and the sun. The slabs were most often in lee terrain features near ridges.On Sunday, a large (size 3) persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered by a snowmobile on a north aspect in alpine terrain with substantial air temperature and solar warming over the day. The avalanche likely released on the late March weak layer. Also on Sunday a large avalanche was observed close to Whistler, on a north aspect around 2000 m, with a depth of about 1 m. It was suspected to have released during last weekends storm followed by sun and likely on the same weak layer.

About 10-20 cm of new snow has been redistributed by strong northwesterly winds. This overlies variable surfaces, including old wind slabs at high elevations, and crusts on most aspects. A weak layer consisting of surface hoar, facets, and/or a melt-freeze crust from late March is now buried about 60 to 140 cm. This layer is spotty in its distribution and has recently produced large and destructive avalanches. It is most likely to be problematic on west, north, and east aspects between 1900 m and 2250 m. Professionals are treating this layer very cautiously and avoiding terrain because of it. Read Conditions report here.The mid and lower snowpack are well-settled and strong.