Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2018 3:58PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Cool temperatures will keep crusts frozen. There are still some lingering wind slabs on high northerly aspects where the snow remains dry and cold.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Isolated flurries / Light north wind / Alpine temperature -6 / Freezing level 1400m FRIDAY: Mix of sun, cloud and scattered flurries / Light northwest wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 1500m SATURDAY: Scattered flurries / Light northwest wind / Alpine temperature -5 / Freezing level 1600m

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday there were two size 1.5 skier triggered wind slab avalanches reported on north and northwest aspects in the alpine. Reports from the past several days primarily included wet loose avalanches to size 2 in steeper terrain on sunny aspects.

Snowpack Summary

The main story has been the sun's effect on south and west facing slopes over the past several days. Daytime heating has resulted in moist or wet snow on sunny aspects and then freezing to form a crust overnight. High elevation northerly aspects still hold dry snow. Persistent weak layers from early January and mid-December are still being reported by local operators. They are generally considered dormant, but could wake up with a surface avalanche stepping down, a cornice fall, or a human trigger in a shallow or variable-depth snowpack area. These layers consist of sun crust, surface hoar and/or facets.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs formed on many aspects during last week's storm and may remain reactive.

Watch for wind loaded pockets near ridge crests and roll oversExtra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 15th, 2018 2:00PM