Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 6th, 2012 9:12AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Cornices and Loose Wet.

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Good - -1

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Mainly sunny with no precipitation. Light winds. Freezing level around 1400m during the day and valley floor at night. Wednesday: Another mainly fine day, although some scattered flurries are possible in the evening. Light southerly winds. Freezing level around 750m. Thursday: Sun and cloud, with light snow beginning in the evening. Light to moderate south-west winds. Freezing level rising by evening to around 1100m.

Avalanche Summary

Solar warming is causing daily avalanches on steep sunny aspects, mostly in the size 1-1.5 range. Large chunks of cornice fall have been reported most days, with limited effect on the slope below.

Snowpack Summary

Very warm alpine temperatures recently melted surface snow layers. A crust (or moist snow, depending on the time of day) now exists to ridge top on solar aspects. Large weak cornices are plentiful. The upper snowpack appears to be settling well. Below about 1500m, a crust/facet combo buried in early January is still causing some operators concern. Reported wind slabs seem very localized and are gaining strength.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices are looming over many slopes. They are weakest when it's warm and sunny. A falling chunk could trigger a large avalanche on the slope below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 7

Loose Wet

Direct sun and warming can trigger loose avalanches, especially in steep south-facing terrain.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 7th, 2012 3:00AM