Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2012 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Sunday: Light precipitation is expected throughout the day. Freezing levels 800-1000m and winds light to moderate from the west. Monday: Continued light precipitation. Freezing levels rising to 1000-1500m. Winds moderate from the southwest. Tuesday: Moderate precipitation expected as pacific frontal system moves inland. Freezing levels 1000-1500m.

Avalanche Summary

Reports of human triggered avalanches to size 1.5. These are isolated to the newly fallen snow

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. 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.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast new snow and moderate gusty southwest winds may continue to build touchy windslabs on northeast aspects in the alpine and at treeline.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Storm Slabs

Recent storm snow may not bond well to a buried sun crust on southerly aspects.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

3 - 7

Deep Persistent Slabs

Persistent weaknesses are buried about 150-200 cm below the surface. Avalanche activity on this interface has become less frequent, but large triggers like cornice fall may release a large avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

4 - 8

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2012 9:00AM