At treeline and below a touchy weak layer sits 10-30 cm below the surface. This is easily triggered in areas where that slab has more cohesion. Reactive wind slabs still linger at upper elevations.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday
Weather Forecast
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with new snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop winds light from the West and alpine temperatures near -5. Freezing levels at valley bottom.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West and alpine temperatures near -3. Freezing levels 1200 m. Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West and freezing levels near 800 m. Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest and alpine temperatures near -3. Freezing levels rise to 1200 m.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, we received minimal reports of avalanche activity in the Cariboos. However, loose dry sluffing up to size 1 from steeper terrain was reported and folks are avoiding area's in the alpine which might be subject to wind slabs. Given roughly similar snowpack characteristics of the neighboring North Columbias it is reasonable to expect size 1 to 2 storm slab and wind slab avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Another 5-10 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-30 cm above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This slab may show enhanced reactivity between 1500 m-1800 m where the surface hoar is well preserved and on solar aspects which host the buried sun crust. Moderate to strong winds from the southwest have formed new wind slabs on leeward slopes in the alpine. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.