Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Feb 9 – 10, 2025Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 2 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Slab conditions are the main concern right now. Use caution on any snow that feels firm or slabby.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    The wind direction has varied, meaning wind slabs may be found on all aspects in wind-exposed terrain. Assess for slabs before committing to high consequence terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Various weak layers exist in the top metre of the snowpack. These layers could be triggered by riders anywhere a hard slab of snow exists above them. Where the snow remains soft, the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche is low.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday a few small (size 1) wind slab avalanches where easily skier triggered at or near ridge crests in the alpine.

On Tuesday. wind slabs were observed in alpine terrain on all aspects.

On Monday, riders triggered small storm slab avalanches within the recent storm snow. They were 20 cm deep at treeline on northerly aspects. These add to the many small to large (size 1 to 2) slabs observed last weekend, on all aspects and elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow from the end of January totaled between 30 to 50 cm and are beginning to slowly facet with surface hoar formation occurring. Past strong winds from various directions had redistributed this snow, but in wind-sheltered terrain it remains soft. This snow overlies various layers that it may not bond well to, including faceted grains, surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered openings, and a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes.

The middle portion of the snowpack is relatively weak with numerous other layers of faceted grains, surface hoar, and/or crusts that formed over the month of January.

The lower snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Partly cloudy with isolated flurries, and little accumulation of snow. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low temperature -17 °C.

Sunday

Sun and cloud. 5 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline high temperature -14 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

Regions covered