Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Dec 17 – 18, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Storm slabs will be more reactive in areas where wind has redistributed new snow over crusts.

Choose simple terrain and avoid overhead avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak layers in the middle of the snowpack may still be possible to trigger where there is no supportive crust.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm snow is expected to be reactive, especially where wind loading is observed. Deeper and more reactive deposits are expected in wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
  • Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A large size 3 natural avalanche was reported in the southeast of the region on Monday. It was suspected to have released on the crust layer formed in mid November.

On Wednesday, we expect reactive storm slabs especially where storm snow is being redistributed by strong wind and forming slabs over a crust.

Snowpack Summary

Roughly 15 to 20 cm of storm snow will accumulate by mid-day Wednesday. This brings the total depth of unconsolidated new snow to roughly 40 cm.

This new snow will be redistributed by strong wind forming new slabs over a settled snowpack at upper elevations and a crust at lower elevations.

There are two layers in the mid and lower snowpack that we continue to track:

  • A surface hoar layer down 80 to 100 cm

  • A crust from mid November sits 90 to 130 cm deep, with faceted snow above.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Regions covered