Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 23rd, 2015 8:50AM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

There are still a lot of gaps in our knowledge about the early season snowpack. If you get out to enjoy some of the great early season riding please submit any observations from your day to the MIN.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snowfall accompanied by moderate SW winds should continue through early Tuesday morning.Â Very cold air descending from the Arctic will lead to clearing skies and cold temperatures for the next few days.Â For detailed mountain weather information visit avalanche.ca/weather

Avalanche Summary

We're working with very limited observations at the moment and we have not received any reports of recent avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

It sounds like people found some great bottomless riding conditions this weekend. Monday's storm snow is expected to bond well to the 50 to 80cm of low density snow that fell last week. Below this new snow we're still dealing with a variable early season snowpack. Changes in wind, freezing levels and snowfall amounts mean that the snowpack structure could be dramatically different depending on aspect and elevation. Layers of buried surface hoar or crusts may be found depending on where you dig. It would be wise to test these layers before committing to a slope. At higher elevations in the alpine, facets may be found near the ground, especially on north to east aspects. Remember that although it's starting to look like winter, its still a young snowpack. Rocks and stumps may be lurking unseen just below the surface. Ride with care!

Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow and wind have likely combined to form fresh wind slabs in wind exposed terrain at and above treeline. These wind slabs could be quite reactive, especially near ridge crest.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>Be cautious of sluffing, especially in terrain traps like creek bottoms which still feature running water.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

We're still dealing with a highly variable early season snowpack and several persistent weak layers have been reported from across the region including surface hoar, crusts and facets.

Early season hazards such as rocks, trees and stumps are lurking on or just under the surface>Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.>Now is a good time to dig a snow profile (or two) and figure out how the snowpack changes with aspect and elevation.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Nov 24th, 2015 2:00PM