Cariboos

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

A firmly embedded ridge of high pressure in Alberta seems to be causing systems to fizzle once they reach the Columbia Mountains. On Friday light snowfall is expected but should taper-off with only trace amounts forecast for Saturday/Sunday. Winds should be light and west/northwesterly throughout the period with freezing levels peaking at about 1300m.

Large chunks of cornice fall have been reported in recent days with limited effect on the slope below. Minor radiation sluffs on steep solar aspects. Otherwise, no new activity to report.

Very warm alpine temperatures recently melted surface snow layers. A crust now exists to ridge top on solar aspects. Large weak cornices are plentiful and recently developed wind slabs may exist in certain areas. The upper snowpack appears to be settling well. Below about 1500m, crust/facet layers buried in early January are still causing some operators concern as well as widespread facets that were buried on January 20th. These layers represent a low probability/high consequence scenario. If you're traveling in the mountains now is a great time to take stock of current surface conditions (surface hoar, crusts) that will probably get buried at some point on Friday.