Cariboos

Fair - Freezing levels are uncertain for the entire period

Sunday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -13, warming overnight. No snow.Monday: Moderate NW wind. Alpine temperature near -3. Light snow.Tuesday: Light to moderate W wind. Alpine temperature near -5. No snow.

A natural and human-triggered cycle of size 1-2.5 storm slabs occurred last week. The touchy nature of the buried surface hoar was revealed by skier-remote triggered avalanches, and a skier-triggered size 1 which ran across a flat bench and triggered a size 2 on another slope. These events were in the 1350-1450m elevation band on N/NE aspects in the south of the region. Avalanche activity has now decreased, but human-triggering remains a concern.

Recent storm snow is slowly settling above old snow surfaces including surface hoar (found especially below about 1600 m in sheltered areas) and facets. Where it exists, the buried surface hoar is at a prime depth for human-triggering. Recent winds have left wind slabs in the lee of terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs at alpine and treeline elevations. In areas sheltered from the wind, fast-moving sluff could throw you off your feet or carry you into a terrain trap. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak facet/crust layer near the base of the snowpack.