Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 13th, 2014 8:43AM

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

rbuhler, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Stability is improving but there are still avalanche problems out there. If you see anything interesting, please submit an observation using our new website tool. For more details see: http://goo.gl/Tj0xPC

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will persist for several days. On Sunday, expect a mix of sun and cloud, treeline temperatures around -8C, and light winds in the alpine. Monday and Tuesday will be much the same with mostly sunny conditions, treeline temperatures around -10C, and light to moderate southerly winds in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations since the storm ended and temperatures dropped. In the Monashee/Selkirks, activity appears to have tapered off substantial on Saturday. Widespread natural avalanche activity with slides up to size 3.5 was reported on Thursday. Large slab avalanches were observed above 2000 m and numerous wet slides were observed at lower elevations in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A new surface crust is expected up to around treeline elevation. At or above treeline, dense storm snow is sitting on a sun crust or surface hoar. In exposed alpine areas this new snow has been blasted around by strong southerly winds and has likely created deep and dense wind slabs in lee features. Reports from the region suggest that anywhere from 50-150 cm of settling snow overlies one or more weak layers which formed during November. Snowpack tests suggest that these weak layers are getting harder to trigger but still have the potential to produce large avalanches if triggered.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Use caution in the alpine and at treeline where the recent precipitation has fallen as snow. Watch for wind loaded or cross loaded slopes well below ridge crests from the past week of strong southerly winds.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and at treeline. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

The likelihood of triggering a persistent slab should be decreasing with dropping temperatures but be wary of any slope that did not release during the storms or has been reloaded.

Avoid common trigger zones including thin snowpack areas, near rocky outcrops, and steep alpine slopes.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 14th, 2014 2:00PM