Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2016 7:54AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Wind slabs continue to develop at higher elevations. Thin wind slabs may be sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar that might act as an easy sliding layer.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

Very little moisture is expected to make it as far north as the Cariboos. The region should continue to be under the influence of the arctic air to the north. Expect some flurries overnight and during the day on Thursday. Broken skies on Friday with light winds and alpine temperatures near -15. Colder air moving south on Saturday bringing alpine temperatures close to -20 under broken skies and light winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Minimal sluffing in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of storm snow in the past few days has been transported into thin windslabs. These thin new windslabs have developed over a mix of old surfaces left behind after the recent inversion and clear alpine skies. These old surfaces include surface hoar, near surface facets, and possible sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Some areas of the western Cariboos around Wells Grey are reporting variable snow depths with treeline height of snow around 150 cm. Shallow snowpack areas may have weak facetted crystals near the ground.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and wind has developed thin wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Windslabs may be sitting on a weak layer that might act as an easy sliding surface.

Avoid cross loaded slopes at or above treeline.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow. >Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2016 2:00PM