Avalanche Forecast

Thursday, a field team observed two remotely triggered size 1 storm slabs above the Bonney Moraines on E aspects, failing on the Apr 9th crust.

There were a few large (up to size 2.5) avalanches observed in the highway corridor from steep unsupported terrain in recent days - some of these storm slabs suspected to be failing on the April 9th crust.

Wednesday, a field team on Christiana ridge ski cut a few moist storm slabs on steep solar aspects, sliding on the April 9th crust.

In the Alpine and high Tree-line, 20-30cm of settling snow sits over a firm crust on any slope that catches the sun and well settled dry snow on due north aspects.

At tree line the snow depth is at a record low of around 220cm. The Feb 3rd crust/facet layer persists at upper elevations, buried down 80-140cm.

Below tree line is a well-settled spring snowpack with a strong surface crust that will break down during the heat of the day.

An improving trend is forecast for the weekend, with a ridge of high pressure briefly setting up over our area.

Tonight: Cloudy periods. Alpine low -2°C, freezing level (FZL) 1400m. Light SW ridgetop winds.

Sat: Mix sun/cloud. Alpine High 2°C, FZL 2400m. Light SW winds.

Sun: Mix sun/cloud. Low 1 °C, High 4 °C, FZL 2500m. Gusty moderate SW wind.

Mon: Flurries (up to 10cm). Low -8 °C, High -1 °C. FZL 1800m. Light W wind.

• Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.