Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Apr 9 – 10, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–5
    Steady snowfall on Wednesday will add to an existing storm/ wind slab problem. Storm slabs may be particularly touchy in wind-affected terrain, or in spots where they overlie weak and reactive surface hoar crystals.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Rain at lower elevations will promote ongoing wet snow instabilities. Watch for loose wet avalanches on steep slopes, or glide cracks in terrain with smooth ground cover.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Moderate to locally heavy snowfall starting Tuesday night and continuing Wednesday / Moderate northwest winds / Freezing level at 1500mThursday: Light snowfall / Moderate northwest winds / Freezing level at 1200m Friday: Light snowfall intensifying throughout the afternoon / Light south winds / Freezing level at 1000m

Avalanche Summary

On Monday a couple of slab avalanche to size 2.5 were remotely triggered by a skier from 300m away. The avalanches occurred on a northwest aspect in the high alpine. The early April surface hoar/ facet interface is though to be the culprit.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations 20-45cm of recent snow is covering a crust or moist snow. At the same interface you may find a touchy layer of facets or surface hoar on shaded high alpine slopes. Where they exist, these weak crystals have been responsible for large remote triggers. The variable and reactive nature of this layer suggests that it may continue to catch people by surprise. I'd dig down and test for this weakness before committing to any exposed alpine terrain.At lower elevations (below 1700m) rain has made the snow surface wet or moist. Recent snowfall combined with wind have made large cornices even bigger.

Regions covered