Avalanche Forecast
Cariboos
Recent new snow combined with wind has promoted wind slab development as well as cornice growth. As the clouds part in the coming days remember that the sun packs a punch this time of year.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
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
- Watch convoluted terrain with variable snowpack depth and multiple trigger points.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger persistent slabs.
- Carefully assess and consider avoiding southerly facing slopes
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche activity has consisted of mainly natural wind slabs to size 1.5 and 2 in alpine terrain. Deep persistent avalanche activity has become less frequent over the past week.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow is settling and has been 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 would produce a 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
SATURDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light east wind / Alpine temperature -11
SUNDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light west wind / Alpine temperature -16
MONDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and isolated flurries / Light to moderate west wind / Alpine temperature -15
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Recent new snow combined with wind has promoted slab development on lee slopes in wind exposed areas.