Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Mar 31 – Apr 1, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Be alert to conditions that change with daytime warming. Danger ratings are likely to exceed posted levels if solar radiation is strong, especially at treeline and below.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–6
    Cornices weaken with daytime warming and become more likely to fail.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Loose wet avalanches are running on solar aspects with the intense radiation during the heat of the day. Wet slab avalanches are also possible, particularly on solar aspects where buried crusts exist or at low elevations where the ground is smooth.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Monday: Increased cloud /  Light west winds / Freezing level at 2300mTuesday: Light snowfall / Moderate west winds / Freezing level at 1700mWednesday: Overcast skies / Light northwest winds / Freezing level at 1700m

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet-loose avalanches up to Size 2.5 continue to be reported from throughout the region on solar aspects. Isolated cornice releases up to 2.0 have also been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Clear, warm days and cold nights have brought spring's daily melt freeze cycle to the surface snow on sunny aspects into the alpine and all aspects at lower elevations (below 1800m). On high shaded terrain surface hoar is growing, and warm temperatures have promoted settlement within the upper snowpack. Cornices are huge!The March 10th surface hoar/crust interface is buried more than 100cm in most places. Although unlikely to trigger, this deep persistent weakness remains a concern because of the potential for very large avalanches particularly with heavy triggers such as cornice falls or lighter triggers on solar aspects where the crust is more prevalent.Below this the snowpack is generally strong and well settled.

Regions covered