Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2019 4:29PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Wind slabs are likely to be encountered at upper elevations and likely remain sensitive to human triggering, especially in lee features. Midday sun is likely to initiate loose wet avalanche activity in the new snow too.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

A low pressure centre over the Gulf of Alaska continues to produce weak systems that impact the Northwest. Wednesdays system has potential to deliver a bit of snow to the Cariboos, but it is difficult to pin down accurate snowfall amounts at this time, stay tuned for more details.MONDAY NIGHT: Freezing level around 1000 m, light variable wind, trace of snow possible.TUESDAY: Scattered cloud cover in the morning, clear around lunch time with cloud building back in the late afternoon, freezing level around 1900 m, moderate northwest wind, trace of snow possible. WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 1500 m, light southwest wind, 2 to 6 cm of snow possibleTHURSDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level around 1500 m, light northerly wind, trace of snow possible.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday wind slabs to size 2 released naturally and were also susceptible to human triggering on north, northeast and east facing terrain between 1900 and 2200 m.On Saturday, there was a report of a human triggered size 1.5 wind slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 2600 m.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of recent storm snow in the alpine and at treeline sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on dry snow. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Up to 25 cm of recent storm snow sits on a crust in most locations, and on dry snow on north facing alpine terrain. Strong southwest winds will have formed wind slabs at upper elevations.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Sunshine may initiate a loose wet avalanche cycle in the new snow. The likelihood of loose avalanches increases as temperatures warm through the day and/or if the sun comes out for a prolonged period of time.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2019 2:00PM