Be sure to read the North Columbia forecast if you're riding in the Cariboos just west of Hwy 5. Conditions could be quite similar, meaning slightly higher local avalanche danger.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY: Mainly sunny and dry with isolated valley cloud dissipating throughout the day. Freezing levels reaching 1500m and light variable winds. THURSDAY: Mainly sunny and dry with isolated valley cloud dissipating throughout the day. A temperature inversion is expected to result in above freezing temperatures well into alpine elevations Winds should remain generally light from the south.
Avalanche Summary
Reports from Sunday are limited, but include a couple of skier-controlled storm and wind slabs avalanches up to Size 1.5, and numerous natural 15cm deep wind slab avalanches up to Size 2 on leeward and cross-loaded features.
Snowpack Summary
About 40-60 cm of snow fell over the past week. You may find a wind-affected surface in exposed terrain, or a sun crust/moist snow on solar aspects depending on the time of day. Below the storm snow you are likely to find a melt-freeze crust. This crust exists in most places except for higher elevation shaded terrain. In many areas there seems to be a reasonable bond between the crust and the overlying snow. I'd still keep an eye on this interface as it has become reactive on some features. Surface hoar buried in early January now lies up to 180cm below the surface and has become less of a concern. Possible triggers for this deep and destructive layer include a large cornice fall or significant warming from periods of strong solar radiation.
ccampbell,
Avalanche Canada
