Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2013 10:36AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Cornices.

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Light snowfall / Light northeast winds / Freezing level at 1200mMonday: Mix of sun and clouds / Light east winds / Freezing level at 1000mTuesday: Mix of sun and cloud / Calm winds / Freezing level at 1300m

Avalanche Summary

Observations have been very limited in recent days; however, I would expect new storm slab instabilities (with potential to at least size 2) in the wake of new snow and wind on Friday night.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations moderate to locally heavy amounts of new snow have fallen and have most likely been shifted into deeper wind slabs by steady southwest winds. About 50-90cm below the surface you are likely to find a temperature/sun crust from early April's clear weather. At the same interface you may find a layer of surface hoar on shaded alpine slopes above ~2400m. Although unlikely, avalanches failing at this interface would most likely be large and destructive.Recent snowfall combined with wind have made large cornices bigger and more likely to fail.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Moderate to locally heavy snowfall and steady winds on Friday night and Saturday created new storm/ wind slabs. Storm slabs will be particularly touchy on wind-affected slopes, or in isolated terrain where buried persistent weaknesses exist.

Stay off recent wind loaded areas until the slope has had a chance to stabilize.>Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Ongoing wind and snowfall has added to size and fragility to existing cornices. Cornice falls may be destructive by themselves, and may also trigger large avalanches on the slope below.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 6

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2013 2:00PM