Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2013 9:32AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Persistent Slabs.

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Be alert to conditions that change with daytime warming. Danger ratings may exceed posted levels when solar radiation is strong.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

No precipitation is expected for the forecast period. Although broken cloud is forecast on Saturday, generally clearing skies are expected on Sunday and Monday.Winds will be light from the northwest on Saturday, switching to light and southwesterly Sunday and Monday.Freezing levels will hover at about 1800m on Saturday, 2000m on Sunday and then 2200m on Monday.

Avalanche Summary

Natural wet-loose avalanches up to Size 2.5 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.

Problems

Loose Wet

Expect loose sluffs to run in the heat of the day when the sun is strong.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices weaken with daytime warming and become more likely to fail.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.>Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 7

Persistent Slabs

Large loads like cornice falls, or lighter loads in thin snowpack areas may trigger the deeply buried March 10th surface hoar layer.

Conditions are greatly improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 7

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2013 2:00PM