Check out our Forecasters' Blog about factoring extreme cold into your trip plans. A small avalanche involvement could be a big problem in these temperatures.
Recent winds have built slabs on a variety of aspects at ridgetop. In southern areas of the Cariboos these wind slabs may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar and/or a crust.
Thursday The field team reported a size 1 (small) wind slab avalanche in the Ground Hog area by Barkerville out of steep north-facing alpine terrain.
Wednesday A few size 1 (small) skier-triggered slabs were reported in the Cariboos near Quesnel Lake. They were 55 cm deep and failed on a weak layer of surface hoar.
Tuesday A natural size 2.5 (large) wind slab was reported on a southwest face at treeline north of Powder King.
In northerly areas of the region and around Pine Pass, strong winds have created wind slabs in exposed areas on south and west faces.
10-15 cm of new snow fell in the region earlier this week, adding to about 30 cm of older storm snow. Collectively, this snow overlies a crust up to 1400 m and higher in the south. In parts of the Cariboos, this snow may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar.
Two more layers of surface hoar may be found buried between 90 and 150 cm at treeline. The likelihood of triggering these layers is low, with the possible exception being shallow, rocky areas at upper treeline.
The current snowpack has considerable variation in structure and depths across the region and is shallow for this time of year.
Thursday night
Mostly cloudy with no new snow, northerly wind 10-20 km/h, treeline temperature low of -43°C
Friday
Mainly sunny with no new snow, northwest wind 5-10 km/h, treeline temperature high -29°C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy with no new snow, southeast wind 5-15 km/h. treeline temperature high of -25°C.
Sunday
Mainly sunny with no new snow, northwest wind 10-20 km/h, treeline temperature high -22°C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
