Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2012 11:03AM

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

ghelgeson, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

A storm tracking along the international border will largely miss the Caribou region. The forecast calls for 2 - 4 cm Saturday and just a trace on Sunday. Freezing levels will remain at the surface through the forecast period and temps in the Alpine will average -9 C.

Avalanche Summary

Skiers and riders have triggered thin soft windslabs in the alpine up to size 1.0 . Natural ice fall and a natural cornice fall to size 2.5 were reported from the region. The cornice fall released a slab, but there was not much propagation.

Snowpack Summary

The new snow layer above the February 09 surface hoar is now about 10-15 cm thick. Some areas have reported that the surface hoar had grown to 50 mm before being buried. Some thin windslabs have developed due to down flowing air on large glaciated features. A melt-freeze crust has developed on solar aspects at all elevations, and on all aspects below about 1400 metres. The mid-pack is generally well settled. There is some concern that large loads like cornices may trigger the Jan. 20th facet layer. Some shallow snowpack areas may continue to have a weak layer of basal facets near the ground.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Thin new windslabs have formed on a variety of aspects in the alpine. Forecast moderate southwest winds in combination with new snow will contribute to continued slab formation.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Cornices are large and may become weak and fall off naturally. Large loads like cornices may trigger slab avalanches on the slopes below.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2012 9:00AM