Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Mar 8 – 9, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Wind slabs that were created during or after the last storm continue to be sensitive to human triggers.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Recent cornice growth may not be well bonded and may fall off naturally during periods of strong solar radiation.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    3–6
    There is a weak layer of surface hoar buried down about 100-150 cms (February 12th layer) that may continue to be triggered by large forces like cornice fall or storm snow avalanches in motion.

Confidence

Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Saturday: Mostly sunny with light to moderate Northwest winds and freezing level rising to about 1300 metres. The ridge of high pressure is expected to flatten out Saturday afternoon allowing cloud and light precipitation to move into the region by Sunday morning.Sunday: Expect 5-10 cms of new snow starting early in the morning, combined with light to moderate West winds.Monday: Unsettled weather is forecast for Monday with cloudy skies and light West winds. Models are not in agreement for Monday. Hopefully we will know more tomorrow.

Avalanche Summary

A natural cornice fall triggered a slab avalanche size 3.0 on a Northwest aspect in the alpine. Some areas reported loose moist snow avalanches up to size 1.0 in the afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

Sun crusts have developed on most solar exposed aspects. Surface hoar and surface facets are growing in most areas, and there is not much wind to disturb the new growth. The recent storm snow is settling, but storm slab releases are still possible. 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.

Regions covered