Wind slabs continue to develop at higher elevations. Thin wind slabs may be sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar that might act as an easy sliding layer.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday
Weather Forecast
Very little moisture is expected to make it as far north as the Cariboos. The region should continue to be under the influence of the arctic air to the north. Expect some flurries overnight and during the day on Thursday. Broken skies on Friday with light winds and alpine temperatures near -15. Colder air moving south on Saturday bringing alpine temperatures close to -20 under broken skies and light winds.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported. Minimal sluffing in steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm of storm snow in the past few days has been transported into thin windslabs. These thin new windslabs have developed over a mix of old surfaces left behind after the recent inversion and clear alpine skies. These old surfaces include surface hoar, near surface facets, and possible sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Some areas of the western Cariboos around Wells Grey are reporting variable snow depths with treeline height of snow around 150 cm. Shallow snowpack areas may have weak facetted crystals near the ground.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.