Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2016 7:23AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Warm temperatures and sun-exposure are maintaining an elevated avalanche danger. Keep it conservative until things cool off and the snowpack settles.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud throughout the day with light flurries or drizzle in the evening. A temperature inversion will maintain well above freezing temperatures at treeline and alpine elevations with light southwesterly winds. THURSDAY: Mainly clear and dry with freezing levels dropping as low as 1500m and light variable winds. FRIDAY: Light snow possible with freezing levels dropping to valley bottoms and light southwesterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Monday include more evidence of widespread natural wind slab avalanches up to Size 2.5 that occurred over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is becoming moist and cohesionless, and cornices are getting weak throughout the day with warm temperatures and direct sun-exposure. Recent snow pack tests gave moderate results on a storm snow weaknesses down 45cm. Avalanche professionals are still monitoring three buried surface hoar layers in the upper 120 cm, with some reporting easy to moderate sudden results down 120cm where surface hoar was sitting on a sun-crust. Warming may increase the reactivity of the persistent slab above these layers.

Problems

Loose Wet

Strong sunshine and warm temperatures are expected to weaken surface snow layers and cause loose wet avalanches or wet slabs.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up. >

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recently formed wind slabs may still be able to be triggered by the weight of a person. Cornices are likely to be fragile in the hot weather.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded terrain.>Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.>Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A deeply buried weak layer can still be triggered, creating very large avalanches. Warm temperatures may increase the sensitivity of this problem.

Be cautious around steep open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved. >Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2016 2:00PM