Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 3rd, 2017 3:33PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully as there is still limited information from this region. Wind slabs likely exist at higher elevations and buried crusts could produce big avalanches.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

MONDAY: Light flurries, moderate to strong northwest wind, alpine temperatures around -10 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy, moderate northwest wind, alpine temperatures warming to -5 C.WEDNESDAY: Sunny, light wind, inversion forming with alpine temperatures above 0 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, riders in the Valemount and Blue River areas did not report any notable avalanches, but some small natural loose dry avalanches were observed in steep lee terrain.Please continue to submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Cold weather has maintained the low density snow from last week's storms, with the exception of wind affected terrain at higher elevations. Fresh snow amounts vary throughout the region with roughly 20 cm in the north and up to 60 cm in the southeast of the region near Blue River. Below the recent storm snow you may find crusts that formed during the rain events in late November. Little is known about depth, distribution, or reactivity of these crusts. Snow depths decrease rapidly below treeline, where the primary hazards are rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may be reactive on the downwind side of ridges and gullies. Changes in wind direction may form fresh wind slabs this week.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Not much is known about the reactivity of crusts lurking in the snowpack. This uncertainty warrants conservative terrain selection, as an avalanche on one of these interfaces could be large and destructive.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.Start with lower angle slopes before gradually working up to steeper objectives.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 4th, 2017 2:00PM