Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

There were a few large (up to size 2.5) avalanches observed in the highway corridor from steep unsupported terrain in recent days.

The storm slab is bonded poorly to the crust below and reports of remotely triggered avalanches are still coming in throughout the region.

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.

In the Alpine and Tree-line, 20-30cm of heavy moist snow sits over a firm crust on any slope that faces the sun. Dry snow may be found on high North facing slopes

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 treeline the snowpack is going through its typical spring melt/freeze cycle, firm in the morning then breaking down and becoming isothermal with daily warming.

A brief ridge of high pressure sets up for the weekend giving clear skies and warm temps.

Tonight: Clear with cloudy periods. Nil precip, freezing level(FZL) 2300m

Sun: Mix sun/cloud. High 4 °C, FZL 2600m. Gusty SW wind 15-40.

Mon: Cloudy w sunny periods & isolated flurries. High -1 °C. FZL 2200m. Wind west 20-35 km/hr.

Tues: Flurries amounting to 7cm. Wind N 10-25km/hr. FZL 1400m

• 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.