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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 30th, 2012–Mar 31st, 2012

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather is expected to continue overnight bringing another 3-5 mm of precipitation. The freezing level is expected to drop down to valley bottoms tonight. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny in the north of the region. Some periods of convective flurries may occur in the south and west. The freezing level should ride up to about 1200 metres, but strong solar radiation may bring alpine temperatures close to zero. Sunday and Monday are expected to be mostly cloudy with light precipitation and light southerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported from the region.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has formed windslabs in the alpine, and added a new load to the very large cornices in the region. There is moist snow on all aspects below 1600 metres. The freezing level is forecast to drop down to valley bottom by Saturday morning. Operators in the Cariboo are not talking about the mid-february deeply buried weak layer. There have not been any avalanches released on the deep layer for some time in this region. Strong solar radiation may weaken the storm snow on southerly aspects on Saturday.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.