Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2013 10:08AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Monday: A weak disturbance is moving Southwards across the Interior Ranges bringing light precipitation and strong Northerly winds. Freezing levels should drop to valley bottoms overnight and then rise to about 1000 metres.Tuesday: A Low pressure system is expected to track inland from the South Coast during the day bringing moderate to heavy precipitation and freezing levels rising up to about 1500 metres. Winds becoming strong Westerly.Wednesday: Another frontal system is expected to move inland from the coast.

Avalanche Summary

Some loose moist snow and cornice releases were reported. There are no new reports of avalanches releasing on the February 12th weak layer.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slabs are expected to develop as the next pulse of precipitation moves in with strong winds. New snow is expected to bury the recently developed surface hoar and sun crusts. The weak layer of surface hoar that was buried around February 12th may be triggered by storm snow avalanches in motion, or by cornice fall and other large triggers. The strong solar radiation may trigger some cornice fall or release moist loose snow in steep terrain that may step down to one of the deeper weak layers.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and wind is expected to develop new windslabs that may be easy to trigger where they are sitting on anew layer of surface hoar and/or a sun crust.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of surface hoar buried down about 100-150 cm (February 12th layer) may continue to be triggered by large forces like cornice fall or storm snow avalanches in motion.

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 - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 6

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2013 2:00PM