Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2019 3:14PM

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

dsaly, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Fresh snow accumulated at upper elevations along with strong variable winds. Use caution around ridge crests and lee terrain features, where deposits will be most reactive and may also hide older, recently formed wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries, trace snow / west wind, 15 km/h / alpine low -10C / freezing level valley bottomMONDAY: Cloudy with increasing sun / southwest wind, 10-15 km/h / alpine high 0 C / freezing level 1600 mTUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace to 4 cm snow / southwest wind, 25-40 km/h / alpine high +1 C / freezing level 1800 mWEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, trace to 4 cm snow / west wind, 30-45 km/h / alpine high +2 C / freezing level 1900 m

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a couple natural and machine triggered storm slab avalanches 20-40 cm deep and up to size 2.5 were observed on east facing alpine slopes.On Tuesday, a small (size 1) slab avalanche 30 cm deep was remotely triggered by a skier from 80 m away on a northeast aspect at 2250 m. A layer of small surface hoar below the most recent snow may have been the weak layer. Additionally, several loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were triggered on solar aspects throughout the day by strong solar radiation.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm snow accumulated above 1200 m Sunday along with westerly winds. On most aspects this covered a melt-freeze crust; on north facing slopes in the alpine, new snow fell over the recent 20-50 cm wind-affected snow and surface hoar in isolated locations. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow falling with wind has accumulated over a crust on most aspects and dry snow on polar aspects in the alpine, potentially hiding older, recently formed wind slabs. The deepest and touchiest deposits will be around ridge crests and lee terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

If the strong April sun makes an appearance the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase.

Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.A moist/wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches all indicate a weakening snowpack.Loose wet avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2019 2:00PM