Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2013 10:47AM

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

mpeter, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Danger could INCREASE TO CONSIDERABLE with intense solar input on south and west aspects. Be aware of changing conditions.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Expect a beautiful spring weekend!Friday: There is a chance of some high patchy clouds with light northerly winds and alpine temperatures climbing to 2. Freezing levels could peak at 2000m.Saturday: Mostly clear, with continued light northerly winds and alpine temperatures reaching 3. Expect slightly higher freezing levels.Sunday: Continued clear skies, with lingering northerly winds and alpine temperatures reaching -1.

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet-loose avalanches up to Size 2 continue to be reported from throughout the region on solar aspects. Isolated cornice releases up to 2.0 have also been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Clear, warm days and cold nights have brought Spring's daily melt freeze cycle to the surface snow on sunny aspects into the alpine and all aspects at lower elevations (below 1800m). Surface hoar is growing on high shaded terrain and the cold temperatures have broken down the windslabs in lee features in the alpine. Cornices are huge!The weak layer of buried surface hoar from March 10th is buried more than 100cm in most places, and is giving variable results in snow profile tests. Although unlikely to trigger, this deep persistent weakness remains a concern because of the potential for very large avalanches particularly with heavy triggers such as cornice falls or lighter triggers in thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Loose Wet

Expect loose sluffs to run in the heat of the day when the sun is strong.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices weaken with daytime warming and become more likely to fail.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 7

Persistent Slabs

Large loads like cornice falls, or lighter loads in thin snowpack areas may trigger the deeply buried March 10th surface hoar layer.

Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 7

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2013 2:00PM