Avalanche Forecast

A sz 2 from a north aspect near an outlier of Chester peak scrubbed down to ground in 35deg terrain. Also a few storm slabs up to sz 2 were observed in the Buller corner avalanche control zone that running to the top of the normal runouts.

Miners gully near Canmore was also see to fail in the narrow upper area.

Not all areas were easy to see due to obscured conditions but a common theme was high north terrain.

20cm of recent storm snow in lower elevations with 30-40cm of snow at treeline and above. This storm snow fell with light winds and warm temps and as a result has been quickly settling into widespread storm slabs in the upper snowpack. Below 2100m the basal layers are wet facets as a result of the rain preceding the storm. Recent rain squished down the surface hoar in many areas but as you move up into treeline areas, be curious and look for this interface as its more spotty in nature. Generally 50cm at treeline and 70-90cm in alpine areas is the norm. In some areas the rapid loading has overloaded the weaker basal facets causing avalanches that are failing at or near the ground. This was seen today with slides on N aspects from alpine terrain. With this being our first major loading of the snowpack, take it easy and give it time to adjust. Its still very thin out there and thinner snowpack areas are likely places to trigger an avalanche.

Well the majority of the snow is over as the storm passes overhead. Winds will be light out of the NW with freezing levels at the valley floor. Light flurries overnight will end and a mix of sun and cloud should be expected on Friday.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Any steep opening in the trees should be treated as suspect right now.