Cariboos

Check for reactive pockets around ridgelines and steep entrances. Watch the sun and be mindful of the snowpack warming on solar slopes.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.
• We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.

On Wednesday, storm and wind slab avalanches to size 2 were reactive to riders, and natural avalanches occurring in the last 24 hours were reported. Of note, a very large size 3.5 avalanche was reported to have failed naturally in the last 24 hours, from a south aspect at 2300 m, likely triggered by solar input.

On Tuesday, a couple of naturally triggered wind slabs up to size 2, and rider-triggered to size 1, were reported on northerly aspects and steep alpine slopes.

At upper elevations, wind, sun, and spring temperatures continue to impact 20 to 40 cm of recent powder.

Below the recent snow is a hard crust that exists on all aspects to at least 2500 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.