Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2017 4:07PM

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.

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Wind effect continues to drive the avalanche danger in many areas. The safest, and best, riding may be in lower elevation terrain sheltered from the wind.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind effect is extremely variable

Weather Forecast

Friday: Dry and mostly sunny. Treeline temperatures around -20C. Ridgetop winds 20-30 km/h from the southwest.Saturday: Dry with cloud building in the afternoon. Temperatures around -15 C. Winds 30-40 km/h from the south.Sunday: Flurries. Temperatures around -8C. Winds 30-40 from the southwest.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, numerous naturally triggered wind slabs to size 1.5 were noted in steep, high elevation terrain. On Wednesday, several small natural wind slab avalanches were reported near Valemount on various aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow has been shifted by moderate to strong southwest and more recent northerly winds in exposed upper areas. In deeper snowpack parts of the region, the mid-December facet layer lies up to 120cm below the surface. In these areas professionals feel this layer has generally gained considerable strength. In shallower areas, particularly those in the southeast (Allen Creek), North (Sugarbowl) and likely some western areas around Quesnel and Barkerville, the snowpack is likely a lot more suspect, with thicker, more pronounced facet layer buried only 50-60 cm below the surface. In shallow snowpack areas like those, I'd carefully investigate this interface before pushing into steeper terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Shifting winds have resulted in touchy wind slabs on many aspects in exposed alpine and treeline areas.

Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff or slabby.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This layer has gained strength in many areas, but triggering an avalanche on facets buried in mid-December may still be possible in shallow snowpack parts of the region. Dig down and test for weaknesses before committing to larger terrain features.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Carefully evaluate big terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 13th, 2017 2:00PM