Cariboos

Recent snow and forecast winds are expected to build fresh wind slabs.

Seek out soft snow with no wind effect at lower elevations for a combination of the best riding and lowest hazard.

Several naturally-triggered wind slabs have been reported across the region over the past few days, with some being triggered by collapsing cornices. They were generally in the size 1-2 range (small to large). Whumpfing and shooting cracks were also reported by skiers near McBride - see this great MIN for details.

With up to 10 cm of recent snow and moderate to strong winds in the forecast, there is good potential for wind slabs to be reactive on Saturday.

Up to 10 cm of new snow has accumulated since Thursday. Forecast southwesterly winds are expected to be building fresh wind slabs near and just below ridge crests at alpine and treeline elevations.

30 to 60 cm of snow rests on a weak layer from early March that is a hard melt-freeze crust, or surface hoar in wind-sheltered treeline areas. This layer remains a lingering concern.

A buried weak layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains from mid-February lies 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer appears to be strengthening and has not triggered any recent avalanches.

The lower snowpack remains well-settled.

Friday night

Partly cloudy with flurries of up to 3 cm possible. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow, up to 15 cm coming Sunday night. 35 to 45 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 60 km/h west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.