Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 1st, 2013 9:07AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

triley, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Wednesday: An upper ridge of High pressure continues to dominate the interior regions. Large valleys should expect cloud with mostly clear skies above. Alpine temperatures are forecast to be warmer than the valleys, but should still be about -3.0. Light winds and no precipitation for the forecast period.Thursday: Mostly clear with light winds and freezing levels down to the valley bottoms. Cooler in the alpine as the warm moves to the Southeast.Friday: Becoming cloudy during the day with moderate westerly winds as a weak upper disturbance slides into the region.

Avalanche Summary

Loose snow avalanches up to size 1.5 continue to be reported from steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

New surface hoar continues to grow in areas that are sheltered from the wind. Recent light snowfalls have been transported into soft wind slabs in the alpine. Continued wind effect may stiffen these wind slabs and allow for longer fracture propagations. Deeper instabilities have been inactive, but may still be triggered by large loads in thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Forecast warm temperatures should help bond recent wind slabs to the old surface. If temperatures do not warm up in the alpine, expect wind slabs to continue to be reactive.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices may become weak and fall off naturally during periods of warm air at higher elevations combined with solar radiation.

Avoid slopes below cornices.>Stay well back from cornices.>

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 2nd, 2013 2:00PM