Avalanche Forecast
Cariboos
Storm slabs on steep slopes, wind slabs on lee slopes and a persistent slab that seems to be "waking up". Plenty to manage but also lots of good snow to ride!
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution on steeper open slopes and convex rolls in wind sheltered areas.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Buried weak layers exist within the snowpack and may be reactive to large triggers such as a cornice fall. Human triggering may also be possible in shallow or thin, rocky, unsupported terrain.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Carefully assess and consider avoiding southerly facing slopes
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger persistent slabs.
- Watch convoluted terrain with variable snowpack depth and multiple trigger points.
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche activity has consisted of mainly loose dry in the size 1-1.5 range but also some wind slabs to size 2 in alpine terrain. These were either naturally occurring or intentionally triggered. Deep persistent avalanche activity has become less frequent over the past week.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow is being redistributed into slabs in wind-exposed terrain. Below this is a layer buried mid-February that presents as a sun crust on solar aspects, and spotty surface hoar on sheltered slopes. This layer looks most concerning on on solar aspects where it's associated with with small facets or surface hoar above.
There are several deeper layers in the mid-pack that have shown signs of improving but remain on the radar as a low probability to trigger, yet high consequence avalanche if triggered. We are talking about surface hoar buried back in December and January. Near the base of the snowpack is a November crust combined with loose sugary snow. These layers may "wake-up" with strong inputs such as sustained warming, sustained snowfall, large triggers (e.g. cornice fall, smaller avalanches coming down from above); human triggering is also possible in shallow snowpack areas with variable snow depth and convoluted terrain.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries / Light southeast wind / Alpine temperature -7 / Freezing level 900m
SATURDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries / Light east wind / Alpine temperature -10
SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northeast wind / Alpine temperature -12
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New snow and wind created slabs on lee slopes in wind exposed areas. Steep slopes and convex rolls in wind sheltered areas are a concern; still, wind protected areas are your best bet for good riding.