Cariboos

Be cautious in areas that look wind loaded, pillowed, or extra thick.

Continued snow and wind have made wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

On Sunday, a small (size 1) storm slab avalanche was reported around the Barkerville area. There was another report of a small (size 1) reactive storm slab avalanche around Wells on Saturday.

10 cm of new snow is now resting on a previous 20 cm that was redistributed by strong northeast wind. This upper 30 cm of recent snow may bond poorly to underlying layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and wind-pressed snow.

A thin breakable crust has been reported on the surface at lower elevations in the Sugarbowl area.

A prominent crust is found 30 to 50 cm deep. It extends up to 1900 m in the Cariboos and up to 1400 m around Pine Pass. In the Sugarbowl and Quesnel / Williams Lake areas, a layer of small surface hoar or facets has been observed near the crust.

The midpack is reportedly strong and bonded.

Monday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 10-30 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C, except 0 °C around Wells/ Barkerville with an above freezing layer between 1300-1600 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, west alpine wind 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with an above freezing layer between 900-1600 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with flurries, southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels rising to 1400 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm snow, southwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature 0 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels rising to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
• Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.