Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Mar 28 – 29, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Danger could INCREASE TO CONSIDERABLE with intense solar input on south and west aspects. Be aware of changing conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–7
    Cornices weaken with daytime warming and become more likely to fail.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3–7
    Large loads like cornice falls, or lighter loads in thin snowpack areas may trigger the deeply buried March 10th surface hoar layer.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–4
    Expect loose sluffs to run in the heat of the day when the sun is strong.

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

Expect a beautiful spring weekend!Friday: There is a chance of some high patchy clouds with light northerly winds and alpine temperatures climbing to 2. Freezing levels could peak at 2000m.Saturday: Mostly clear, with continued light northerly winds and alpine temperatures reaching 3. Expect slightly higher freezing levels.Sunday: Continued clear skies, with lingering northerly winds and alpine temperatures reaching -1.

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet-loose avalanches up to Size 2 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). Surface hoar is growing on high shaded terrain and the cold temperatures have broken down the windslabs in lee features in the alpine. Cornices are huge!The weak layer of buried surface hoar from March 10th is buried more than 100cm in most places, and is giving variable results in snow profile tests. 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 in thin snowpack areas.

Regions covered